ptfEcP11-30-2012 by Shaw Media

STATE & NATION

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • Page A3

Obama mounts ‘fiscal cliff’ campaign By DAVID ESPO The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The White House and a key congressional Democrat hinted at fresh concessions on taxes and cuts to Medicare and other government benefit programs Wednesday as bargaining with Republicans lurched ahead to avoid the year-end “fiscal cliff” that threatens to send the economy into a tailspin. Increasing numbers of rank-and-file Republicans also said they were ready to give ground, a boost for House Speaker John Boehner and other party leaders who say they will agree to higher tax revenues as part of a deal if it also curbs benefit programs as a way to rein in federal deficits. “I’ll go anywhere and I’ll do whatever it takes to get this done,” President Barack Obama said as he sought to build pressure on Republicans to accept his terms – a swift renewal of expiring tax

AP photo

President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks Wednesday in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on the White House campus in Washington, about how middle class Americans would see their taxes go up if Congress fails to act to extend the middle class tax cuts. cuts for all but the highest income earners. “It’s too important for Washington to screw

this up,” he declared. For all of the talk, there was no sign of tangible prog-

ress on an issue that marks a first test for divided government since elections that as-

sured Obama a second term in the White House while renewing Republican control in the House. “It’s time for the president and Democrats to get serious about the spending problem that our country has,” Boehner said at a news conference in the Capitol. He, like Obama, expressed optimism that a deal could be reached. At the same time, he publicly disagreed with one GOP lawmaker, Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who said he was ready to go along with Obama’s plan to renew most but not all of the expiring income tax cuts. “It’ll hurt the economy” to raise rates for anyone, said Boehner. Separately, at a closed-door meeting with the rank and file, the speaker told fellow Republicans they are on solid political ground in refusing to let tax rates rise. He circulated polling data showing the public favors closing loopholes to raise revenue far more than it supports raising rates on incomes over $250,000.

House holds purse in battle over prison funds By JOHN O’CONNOR The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn vowed Wednesday to continue fighting to steer state money from prisons to child protection, after being rebuffed by the Senate on his plan to shutter state facilities. On the second day of the General Assembly’s fall veto session, the Senate voted, 35-16, to override Quinn’s veto of $57

million approved by the Legislature to keep two prisons and two juvenile detention centers open. The governor will take his case to the House, where a second override vote would not force the Democratic governor to keep the prisons open, but would prohibit him from spending the money elsewhere despite the state’s dire financial situation. Quinn aides said his message, as he crosses the Capitol

rotunda in the coming days, is this: It’s a choice between spending on underutilized prisons or better protection against the abuse and neglect of children. “He’s talking to lawmakers and will impress upon them that the money is better spent on kids than on prisons” he considers unnecessary, Quinn budget spokesman Abdon Pallasch said. The House canceled Thursday’s portion of the fall ses-

sion. A spokesman said the legislation’s House sponsor, Speaker Michael Madigan, has not decided whether to seek an override. The session’s final three days begin Tuesday. Beside the override vote, the Senate adopted a plan Wednesday to require some corporations to disclose what they pay in income tax. The chamber also rejected legislation that Quinn rewrote to ban assault weapons and sent the governor

a plan he supports to subsidize state park repairs with a $2 license plate surcharge. The House adopted a resolution that recommends no pay raises this year for unionized state workers; set a special congressional election April 9 for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned; and voted to give the Chicago Public Schools more time to announce what schools it plans to close.

e PrHOLIDAY

8STATE BRIEFS Quinn: ‘Squeezy’ pension video viewed 20K times

CHICAGO – Officials said Gov. Pat Quinn’s online pension reform campaign with its cartoon snake mascot has attracted more than 28,000 unique visitors. He launched the website this month, billing it as a way to rally the public around a pension overhaul since lawmakers haven’t come up with a plan. The site has been criticized for its lighthearted approach, including images of the orange serpent, “Squeezy the Pension Python.” The Democrat’s office said a video with the cartoon has been viewed 20,000 times. The campaign involves Facebook and Twitter pages. On Tuesday, Quinn unveiled a video with educator Salman Khan. He runs a nonprofit academy and has developed thousands of online tutorials.

Ill. license fee for state parks goes to governor

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has approved a $2 license plate fee to improve crumbling state parks. The plan to cut into a $750 million backlog in park maintenance and repairs now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn. He’s indicated he approves of the proposal. It was the second go for the Senate. The measure failed in June but received a 39-11 vote in favor on Wednesday. The money would be used by the Department of Natural Resources. It was suggested as an alternative to charging an entrance fee. A basic annual license plate costs $99.

– Wire reports

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AP photo

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (right), accompanied by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington to discuss disaster relief funds for superstorm Sandy.

NYC mayor seeks more disaster aid for Sandy victims By ANDREW MIGA The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appealed to congressional leaders Wednesday for quick action on providing tens of billions of dollars in new federal aid to help his city and state and others recover from superstorm Sandy but was told it might be some time before it’s forthcoming – and it likely won’t be all at once. Bloomberg met with more than a half-dozen lawmakers, including several who chair or sit on committees controlling the government’s purse strings, as well and both parties’ leaders in the House and Senate. “Hurricane recovery is not a partisan issue,” he told reporters at a news conference in between the meetings. “We have to bring together both sides in Washington.” New York state alone is seeking $42 billion in additional federal aid. New Jersey is seeking federal aid to cover most of the nearly $37 billion cost for recovery and rebuilding. So far about $2 billion in federal funds – about half for direct assistance to individuals – have been provided to the two most heavily damaged states and nine others in the storm’s path. There’s about $5 billion left in the Federal Emergency Management

Agency’s disaster relief fund, but last year’s budget agreement permits President Barack Obama to seek another $5.4 billion without hitting a ceiling on spending. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee that oversees disaster relief, struck a skeptical note after her meeting with the mayor. “It’s going to be a hard sell,” she said, given Congress’s preoccupation with the fiscal cliff crisis and tight budget restraints. Reflecting a line taken in the past by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and other fiscal conservatives, she said at least some of the new spending for Sandy relief and rebuilding should be offset by spending cuts in other government programs. “Otherwise it’s just going to be added to the debt and that makes it even more difficult for us to deal with the fiscal challenges,” she said. Collins said she needs to see more detailed numbers on damages before deciding on how much Sandy aid is needed. But she said New York’s request is “reasonable” if the damages can be documented and added that state and city officials have not tried to exaggerate the damages, as she claims happened with Hurricane Katrina seven years ago.

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NATION & WORLD

Page A4 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

‘Second revolution’ ahead? Egypt crisis raises fears of further political violence The ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP photo

U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice leaves a meeting Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington with Sen. Susan Collins, R- Maine, and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., about the Sept. 11 Benghazi terrorist attack.

Senator voices concern about Rice for state job Collins: More info still needed on Libyan attack The ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON – A moderate Republican senator, vital to any White House hopes of getting U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice confirmed as secretary of state, said Wednesday she couldn’t back any nomination until more questions are answered about the deadly Sept. 11 attack in Libya and Rice’s State Department role during the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Kenya. In a fresh suggestion of eroding GOP support for Rice, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine emerged from a 90-minute, closed-door meeting with the ambassador voicing new criticism of her initial account about Libya. Collins also questioned what Rice, the assistant secretary of state for African Affairs in the Clinton administration, knew about

requests for enhanced embassy security before the Nairobi, Kenya, truck bombing. Pressed on how she would vote if President Barack Obama names Rice to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Collins said, “I would need to have additional information before I could support her nomination.” Obama came to Rice’s defense during a Cabinet meetSen. Susan ing, calling Collins her “extraordinary” and saying he couldn’t be prouder of the job she has done as U.N. ambassador. Cabinet members joined Obama in applauding Rice, who attended the meeting. Obama has not named a replacement for Clinton, who has said she intends to step down soon. The misgivings from Collins, the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, came one day after three other GOP senators said they would try to block Rice’s nom-

ination. Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire said they were more troubled than ever by Rice’s answers on Libya even though the ambassador conceded that her much-maligned first explanation was wrong. In an unusual move, Rice and acting CIA Director Michael Morell have held two days of private meetings with Republican senators in hopes of assuaging their concerns. Privately, Senate Republicans said they had hoped the conversations would quiet the criticism as they want to avoid the spectacle of a postelection challenge to a female African-American nominee. Instead, the sessions have cast further doubt on her chances for the top State Department job and increased the likelihood of a protracted fight if Obama does choose her. Although Democrats will have 55 votes in the next Congress, the president would need the support of five Republicans to avoid a filibuster of the nomination.

Officer explains suspect’s handling

A suicide behind the treatment of WikiLeaks figure The ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT MEADE, Md. – An Army private accused of sending reams of classified U.S. documents to the secret-spilling website WikiLeaks was kept in tight pretrial confinement partly because another prisoner had recently committed suicide, the former security chief at the Quantico, Va., Marine Corps base testified Wednesday. Marine Col. Robert Oltman appeared as a witness on the second day of a pretrial hearing for Pfc. Bradley Manning,

who is seeking dismissal of all charges, claiming his confinement in the Quantico brig amounted to illegal punishment. Oltman and others have testified that psychiatrists who examined Manning at Quantico repeatedly recommended that his conditions be eased. But Oltman, whose command included Bradley the brig, said Manning he was skeptical about at least one of those recommendations because another detainee had killed himself in December 2009 after his custody status was reduced based upon the advice of the same doctor, Navy Capt. Wil-

liam Hochter, the psychiatrist assigned to the brig. “He didn’t have the strongest credibility with me with regards to his recommendations,” Oltman said under questioning by civilian defense attorney David Coombs. Manning was held at Quantico for nine months, from July 2010 to April 2011, when he was moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Throughout his time at Quantico, he was designated a “maximum custody” detainee and considered at risk of either suicide or harming himself or others. He was locked up alone for at least 23 hours a day, forced to sleep naked for several nights and required to stand naked at attention one morning, his lawyers assert.

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CAIRO – Faced with an unprecedented strike by the courts and massive opposition protests, Egypt’s Islamist president is not backing down in the showdown over decrees granting him nearabsolute powers. Activists warn that his actions threaten a “second revolution,” but Mohammed Morsi faces a different situation than his ousted predecessor, Hosni Mubarak: He was democratically elected and enjoys the support of the nation’s most powerful political movement. Already, Morsi is rushing the work of an Islamist-dominated constitutional assembly at the heart of the power struggle, with a draft of the charter expected as early as today, despite a walkout by liberal and Christian members that has raised questions about the panel’s legitimacy. The next step would be for Morsi to call a nationwide referendum on the document. If adopted, parliamentary elections would be held by spring. Wednesday brought a last-minute scramble to seize the momentum over Egypt’s political transition. Morsi’s camp announced that his Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists will stage a massive rally in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the plaza where more than 200,000 opposition supporters gathered a day earlier. The Islamists’ choice of the square for Saturday’s rally raises the possibility of clashes. Several hundred Morsi opponents are camped there, and another group is fighting police on a nearby street.

AP photo

Egyptian protesters clash with security forces Wednesday near Tahrir Square in Cairo. President Mohammed Morsi’s camp announced a massive Muslim Brotherhood rally there Saturday. That could lead to clashes, as Morsi opponents are already camped at the square. “It is tantamount to a declaration of war,” said liberal politician Mustafa al-Naggar, speaking on the private AlTahrir TV station. Morsi remains adamant that his decrees, which place him above oversight of any kind, including by the courts, are in the interest of the nation’s transition to democratic rule. Backing down may not be an option for the 60-year-old U.S.-educated engineer. Doing so would significantly weaken him and the Brotherhood at a time when their image has been battered by widespread charges that they are too preoccupied with tightening their grip on power to effectively tackle the country’s many pressing problems. Morsi’s pride is also a key factor in a country where most people look to their leader as an invincible figure. He may not be ready to stomach another public humiliation after backing down twice since taking office in June. His attempt to reinstate parliament’s Islamist-dominated lower chamber after it was disbanded in July by the Supreme Constitutional Court was overturned by

that same court. Last month, Morsi was forced to reinstate the country’s top prosecutor just days after firing him when the judiciary ruled it was not within his powers to do so. Among Morsi’s first acts after seizing near-absolute powers last week was to fire the prosecutor again. Unlike last year’s antiMubarak uprising, calls for Morsi’s ouster have so far been restricted to zealous chants by protesters, with the opposition focusing its campaign on demands that he rescind his decrees, disband the constitutional panel and replace it with a more inclusive one, and fire the Cabinet of Prime Minister Hesham Kandil. “There is no practical means for Morsi’s ouster short of a coup, which is very, very unlikely,” said Augustus Richard Norton, a Middle East expert from Boston University. Still, the opposition, whose main figures played a key role in the anti-Mubarak uprising, may be tempted to try to force Morsi from office if they continue to draw massive crowds like Tuesday’s rally, which rivaled some of the biggest anti-Mubarak demonstrations.

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Weather TODAY

FRI

Wind: S/SW 5-15 mph

SAT

SUN

MON

Partly sunny and very mild

Mostly cloudy and warm

Wind:

Showers likely and turning cooler Wind:

W/SW 5-15 mph

S/SW 10-20 mph

W/NW 15-25 mph

Wind:

Partly sunny with a shower or two late Wind:

S/SE 5-10 mph

S 5-15 mph

Mix of sun and clouds; mild

Partly to mostly sunny and mild

Thursday, November 29, 2012 Northwest Herald Page A8

ALMANAC

WED

Partly sunny and chilly Wind:

N/NW 5-15 mph

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

at Chicago through 4 p.m. yesterday

Harvard 46/33

Belvidere 46/33

TEMPERATURE HIGH

TUE

Crystal Lake 48/34

Rockford 46/33

LOW

Hampshire 45/33

Algonquin 46/33

Sandwich 46/31

Waukegan 45/33

Oak Park 48/36

St. Charles 48/34

DeKalb 48/34 Dixon 46/31

McHenry 46/33

High pressure to our south will continue to bring up a mild air mass thanks to southerly winds. A weak storm system will pass well to our north, spreading a few clouds, but no rain is expected. Not much change Friday, but the weekend looks warmer with a slight chance of showers Saturday night and highs in the upper 50s. Near-record highs Monday.

Aurora 46/30

LAKE FORECAST

WATER TEMP: Chicago Winds: SSW at 12-25 kts. 48/35 Waves: 2-4 ft.

Orland Park 45/34 41°

Normal low

27°

Record high

69° in 1905

Record low

0° in 1887

How long does it take sunlight to reach the Earth?

PRECIPITATION 0.00”

Month to date

0.95”

Normal month to date

2.94”

Year to date

24.70”

Normal year to date

34.51”

SUN AND MOON

Approximately 8 minutes traveling at 186,000 miles per second.

24 hours through 4 p.m. yest.

FOX RIVER STAGES as of 7 a.m. yesterday Flood

Current

24hr Chg.

Fox Lake

3.18

-0.04 -0.07

Nippersink Lake

3.10

Sunrise

7:01 a.m.

New Munster, WI

5.40

-0.18

Sunset

4:23 p.m.

McHenry

1.25

+0.09

Moonrise

5:25 p.m.

Algonquin

1.43

+0.02

Moonset

7:47 a.m.

MOON PHASES Last

New

Dec 6

Full

Dec 19

Dec 28

AIR QUALITY Wednesday’s reading

0-50 Good; 51-100 Moderate; 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200 Unhealthy; 201-300 Very Unhealthy; 301-500 Hazardous Source: http://www.epa.state.il.us/air/aqi/index.html

UV INDEX TODAY The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

10a 11a Noon 1p

Today

City

First

Dec 13

NATIONAL CITIES

0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very high; 11+ Extreme

Hi/Lo/W

Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charlotte Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Green Bay Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Louisville Memphis

60/36/s 15/2/s 60/40/s 46/36/s 50/28/s 48/35/pc 53/41/sh 45/30/pc 58/31/s 50/33/s 44/32/pc 69/54/pc 64/34/s 50/35/pc 45/30/pc 70/42/s -13/-25/s 22/18/pc 36/27/pc 81/65/s 69/56/pc 48/32/pc 68/51/pc 60/38/pc 67/50/pc 68/56/pc 54/36/s 62/41/s

WORLD CITIES

REGIONAL CITIES

WEATHER TRIVIA™

Normal high

Today

City

Hi/Lo/W

Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York Norfolk Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland, OR Reno Richmond Sacramento Salt Lake City San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Seattle Sioux Falls St. Louis St. Paul Tampa Tucson Wash., DC Wichita

79/70/pc 44/33/pc 34/26/pc 58/36/s 67/52/pc 45/35/pc 50/36/s 66/46/pc 75/58/pc 46/33/pc 76/54/pc 45/28/pc 52/46/r 57/40/c 51/30/s 64/52/c 56/42/pc 69/59/pc 67/55/pc 64/57/c 52/45/r 40/22/pc 58/39/pc 36/26/pc 78/56/pc 73/48/s 51/34/s 64/37/pc

Today

Friday

Saturday

City

Hi/Lo/W

City

Hi/Lo/W

Today

City

Arlington Hts Aurora Bloomington Carbondale Champaign Chicago Clinton Evanston Galesburg Joliet Kankakee Mt. Vernon Naperville Peoria Princeton Rockford Rock Island Springfield Waukegan Wheaton

47/34/pc 46/30/pc 52/32/pc 56/36/s 50/32/pc 48/35/pc 50/34/pc 48/36/pc 50/33/pc 45/32/pc 48/33/pc 54/33/pc 47/32/pc 50/34/pc 48/34/pc 46/33/pc 46/33/pc 50/36/pc 45/33/pc 47/33/pc

47/36/pc 48/32/pc 52/37/pc 60/41/pc 53/35/pc 50/37/pc 54/38/pc 47/38/pc 52/36/pc 49/34/pc 51/35/pc 58/39/pc 48/33/pc 53/37/pc 51/34/pc 48/33/pc 51/34/pc 57/42/pc 45/34/pc 48/34/pc

53/49/sh 52/47/sh 55/51/c 61/53/c 57/50/c 53/49/sh 56/51/c 53/49/sh 52/50/c 53/50/sh 56/50/c 59/52/c 52/49/sh 56/53/c 54/50/c 50/48/sh 53/48/c 59/55/c 49/48/sh 53/49/sh

Acapulco Amsterdam Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Brussels Buenos Aires Cairo Cancun Dublin Geneva Hong Kong Islamabad Istanbul Kabul Kingston Lima London Madrid

90/73/s 44/33/sh 65/60/r 70/49/s 37/19/s 44/33/sh 44/31/pc 77/66/t 74/56/pc 82/71/c 41/36/c 45/26/sh 72/68/r 66/43/r 64/57/pc 47/23/s 88/78/sh 73/62/pc 45/34/pc 48/34/pc

Manila Melbourne Mexico City Montreal Moscow New Delhi Paris Rome Santiago Sao Paulo Seoul Singapore Stockholm Sydney Tel Aviv Tokyo Toronto Vancouver Vienna Warsaw

-10s

Today Hi/Lo/W

91/77/pc 100/70/pc 73/48/pc 32/14/sn 28/23/sn 79/52/pc 46/35/pc 56/44/r 72/46/sh 78/63/sh 41/25/pc 88/77/t 36/28/sf 82/70/pc 75/61/pc 57/48/pc 38/35/pc 52/46/r 53/35/r 48/38/sh

NATIONAL FORECAST -0s

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

60s

70s

80s

90s

100s 110s

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice

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Stationary Front

Opinion

John Rung Publisher

Dan McCaleb Senior Editor

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • Page A7 • Northwest Herald • NWHerald.com 8OUR VIEW

8SKETCH VIEW

Federal courts have said that Illinois’ prohibition on recording police officers in public is unconstitutional, and legislators should take the opportunity to rewrite the state’s eavesdropping law. We wholeheartedly agree. The general rule of thumb is, if you can be seen in public, you can be photographed in public. However, in Illinois, if you For the record can be heard in public, it’s a Lawmakers must start fresh on crime for someIllinois’ eavesdropping law that one to record prohibits audio recordings of your voice. police doing their jobs in public. Recording the voice of a police officer doing his or her job in public is considered a felony punishable by as many as 15 years in prison under the state’s eavesdropping law, passed in 1961. The law against recording police is not enforceable at the moment. In May, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the law violated the Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech. Some legislators have suggested that throwing out the penalty for recording police should make the law acceptable. We think the law should be rewritten to take into account, among other things, modern technology. Much has changed since 1961. Today, most any random person on the street can have a video and audio recording device in their pocket. Video and/or audio recording police officers performing their duties in public should be legal. But if that recording obstructs an officer from doing his or her duty, that’s another matter. Police have a dangerous job, whether they are performing a traffic stop, responding to a domestic violence incident, or patrolling on foot or bicycle. They are routinely confronted with suspects who are intoxicated, violent, or otherwise pose a danger to themselves and others. Concern for public safety demands that police be unimpeded by amateur cameramen who might not know what’s best for their own safety in a potentially dangerous situation. What’s needed is a law that balances the rights of the public to record goings-on in the public sphere with the rights of police to be able to perform their duties safely.

8IT’S YOUR WRITE

Rewrite law on recording

8ANOTHER VIEW

Keep debt ceiling It would be wrenching for the country to be faced with another showdown over the federal debt ceiling. But the solution should not be, as Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner recently suggested, to dispense with the debt ceiling because it is an inconvenient impediment to ratcheting up the national debt. Geithner said on Nov. 16 that the debt ceiling – the cap on federal indebtedness that requires congressional approval to raise – should be eliminated. The idea is preposterous. The debt ceiling is the only thing that forces Congress and the president to confront the results of their out-ofcontrol spending. Doing away with the ceiling would stoke problems down the road in exchange for shortterm expediency.

The Columbus Dispatch

Time for transparency

To the Editor: McHenry County deserves quality leadership, and Ersel Schuster is just the person for the job of County Board chairman. Honesty, integrity and financial stewardship with accountability are her top priorities for everyone in McHenry County. It’s time to move this county forward and out of the back room. Alan and Lori Plane Harvard

Not about kids

To the Editor: District 300 pays for 80 percent of teachers benefits (medical/ dental/vision). If a spouse also is a part of the bargaining unit, then it’s 100 percent. District 300 teachers receive 12 sick days a year, which accumulate with no limitations. District 300 elementary teachers receive about $1,500 annually for each student in excess of 28 in their classes. District 300 teachers are ranked third in average starting salaries for nearby districts. District 300 teachers work 10 months a year, eight hour days, which include a paid lunch period and 150 planning minutes a week. How much do you pay for your benefits and what do you get? Accumulated sick days? Were you paid more for taking on extra responsibilities at work? My husband took a 20 percent pay cut four years ago – we’d be happy with a 2.75 percent pay raise. Average employees work 12 months a year, eight-hour days, not including lunch/break periods and with no planning time.

Are the teachers blind to what they already receive? Do they not see the economic conditions surrounding them? Do they see how many of their family, neighbors and parents of the students they are teaching are unemployed? Every other bargaining unit in District 300 has recognized the economic circumstances and have given their fair share back to help our district. The teachers obviously feel they are above everyone else and should not have to make any compromises. Striking on Dec. 3 will show how much more deserving they think they are. This is not about the kids. Dina Tenayuca Lake in the Hills

Innovation, leadership

To the Editor: I’m Carol Perschke, McHenry Township assessor since 1995, running for re-election in 2013. I have a Democratic opponent. My office has served property owners with information, innovation and leadership. Future vision includes continued excellence in service, fairly and professionally. Information and customer service include: • Education in person, print and web; • Ask the Assessor night; • Extended office hours and home visits. Innovation includes: • Online access since 2000/2001; • Ongoing work toward paperless office; • Advanced assessment software user. Leadership includes:

How to sound off We welcome original letters on public issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, home address and day and evening telephone numbers. We limit letters to 250 words and one published letter every 30 days. All letters are subject to

• Department head; award-winning professional; • 2012 budget lower than 2009; • Past officer County Assessors Association and Illinois Assessors Association; • Current chairman of the Illinois Property Assessment Institute; • McHenry Lions Club since 1999; current second vice president. I have the passion and energy to continue making ours the best assessment office in the county. Please choose me on April 9 based on qualifications and accomplishments, not generic promises. Carol L. Perschke

McHenry Township assessor

Another taxing body

To the Editor: Thank you for informing the readership on the referendum about a proposed 377 board. Much more needs to be said about this rotten attempt to create another taxing body. I am not surprised, but outraged that any referendum would be placed on an off-year ballot. The County Board knows that the voter turnout will be between 10 percent and 15 percent. They are attempting to ramrod a new tax through. I feel sorry for the disabled, but my

editing for length and clarity at the sole discretion of the editor. Submit letters by: • E-mail: letters@nwherald.com • Mail: Northwest Herald “It’s Your Write” Box 250 Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250

tax dollars should not be used to support the needs of any special interest. That is the obligation of family, friends, church and state agencies. If money is owed by the state to organizations that support the disabled, those organizations should sue the state for payment. Those organizations should not expect the public to become their financial support. Our tax burden is much too heavy today. Taxes need to be reduced, not increased. I am 67 years old. I have no pension. I have to provide for myself and my family. We live in a democracy, not a socialist state. Unfortunately, most taxers and spenders are attempting to turn our country into just that. We seniors are being crushed by inflation and increasing taxes. The action by the County Board in this matter stinks, and it is wrong. Put a referendum on the ballot to exempt seniors from paying real estate taxes on their primary home at age 65. Put a referendum on the ballot to repeal PTELL. Put a referendum on the ballot to freeze all school districts budgets at the year 2010 levels. Ron Edwards Lakewood

‘Lincoln’ a refreshing depiction of flawed man with noble cause SPRINGFIELD – Springfield is a town of hundreds of politicians, thousands of bureaucrats, and one big tomb. And there lies Abraham Lincoln – the Great Emancipator, Preserver of the Union, Rail Splitter and scion of Springfield. With Daniel Day Lewis playing Honest Abe on the silver screen in Steven Spielberg’s new film, national attention once again is drawn to the 16th president. For those of us living in Springfield, we are well aware of the long, often mythical shadow he casts. Folks from Chicago to Cairo and beyond make pilgrimages to the state capital to meditate before the tomb – and to touch the nose of his statue for good luck. It’s one of the Prairie State’s oddest rituals. I realized the pervasiveness of this tradition three years ago when my then 4-year-old daughter, Grace, announced: “Daddy, I rubbed Mr. Lincoln’s nose for good luck two

Editorial Board: John Rung, Dan McCaleb, Kevin Lyons, Stacia Hahn, Jon Styf

weeks ago, but now my luck is all gone. We need to go to Mr. Lincoln’s tomb right away.” After taking her to the cemetery and lifting her to touch the nose, I stood back and watched a parade of pilgrims from across the planet step forward to do the same. They touched the statue with religious reverence and solemnity. And the nose is rubbed so often that a metalsmith is periodically dispatched to patch holes. Springfield is a town composed mainly of people who wouldn’t think of bowing down before an idol – unless it is of Honest Abe. In Abe’s case, all rationality is gone. He’s Illinois’ martyred saint. If you grow up in Illinois and share a birthday with Lincoln, like I do, expect to be thoroughly indoctrinated in Lincoln lore. When I was a kid, I read every Lincoln biography in the school library, had a picture of Honest Abe tacked to my bedroom bulletin board, and could rattle off Lincoln

VIEWS Scott Reeder trivia the way other boys can recite baseball statistics. When I was 8, I wanted to go to Gettysburg – not Disney World. That’s why I like Spielberg’s movie so much. He cast Lincoln in a different light. Rather than giving him nearmessianic qualities, Spielberg depicted Lincoln as a wisecracking Illinois politician who wheeled and dealed behind the scenes to get his legislation passed. He’s seen passing out patronage jobs to outgoing lawmakers during a lame-duck session of Congress. His goal of freeing the slaves was honorable, but the political sausage making behind the scenes isn’t pretty. This ruffles the feathers for many

8THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Scott Reeder’s daughter, Grace, rubs the nose of the Abraham Lincoln statue in Springfield. reared on the Lincoln myth. But for me, it’s a refreshing and accurate depiction showing a flawed man with a noble purpose.

• Scott Reeder is a veteran state-

house reporter and the journalist in residence at the Illinois Policy Institute. He can be reached at: sreeder@ illinoispolicy.org.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

LOCAL&REGION

Page B2 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

CRYSTAL LAKE: PARK DISTRICT

Chili golf tourney set for Jan. 19 NORTHWEST HERALD

CRYSTAL LAKE – Know a golfer who has everything? The Crystal Lake Park District suggests giving a gift certificate to cover the cost of a foursome golf team for the 42nd annual Doc Haznow Chili Open Golf Classic. The event will be on the frozen surface of Crystal Lake on Jan. 19. Crystal Lake Main Beach is at 300 Lakeshore Drive. Golfers will play a nine-hole, par 32 course on the frozen lake. If there is thin ice or open water, the event will be postponed to Feb. 2 or Feb. 16. Participants don’t need golfing experience to participate; they just need to bring three friends, some short irons and a putter. All foursomes will receive a bowl of chili and the chance to win prizes that include golf bags, golf clubs, golf apparel and more. Participants can decorate a sled and enter it in the Chili Open “Best Sled” contest for a chance to win golf prizes. Painted golf balls, prizes and side games are provided to all golfers. Tee-offs begin at 8 a.m. and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $115 a foursome. To register, call Connie Cooke at 815-459-0680, ext. 213, or visit www.crystallakeparks.org and use program code 1405-0. Gift certificates can be bought from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, 1 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake.

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

8POLICE REPORTS

McHENRY: CENTEGRA HEALTH SYSTEMS

Teen heart screenings planned NORTHWEST HERALD McHENRY – Centegra Health System offers echocardiogram heart screenings designed for teenagers ages 13 to 18. The screening is an ultrasound of the heart that can detect heart defects and abnormalities, even when there are no symptoms. Screenings will be done for $85 at Centegra Physician Care locations on the

Centegra Wellness on the Move mobile health unit. They are from 4 to 7 p.m.: • Monday at Centegra Physician Care – Spring Grove, 1906 Holian Drive. • Dec. 5 at Centegra Physician Care – Crystal Lake, 360 Station Drive. • Dec. 10 at Centegra Hospital – McHenry, 4309 Medical Center Drive. Many active teens do not show symptoms of heart abnormalities, yet may be at

risk for cardiac arrest or even death. Many cases of sudden cardiac death in teens, especially ages 13 to 18 years old, can be prevented with a proper heart screening. ECHO heart screening requirements include completion of a pre-screening questionnaire, parental or guardian consent and the presence of a parent or guardian at the screening. Forms can be found at centegra.org/echo. The pre-

Crystal Lake

screening questionnaire should be brought to the appointment. Comfortable clothing should be worn. Dr. R. David Halstead, a pediatric cardiologist with Centegra Physician Care – McHenry, interprets the screenings, and results will be mailed to a parent within one week. For information, visit centegra.org, search Centegra Health System or call 877-236-8347.

• A 16-year-old juvenile was charged Friday, Sept. 21, with reckless conduct. • Jose Miguel Huerta, 18, 80 N. Wolf Road, Apt. 3, Wheeling, was charged Monday, Oct. 1, with underage drinking. • A 16-year-old juvenile was charged Wednesday, Oct. 3, with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. • A 14-year-old juvenile was charged Thursday, Oct. 4, with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. • A 13-year-old juvenile was charged Friday, Oct. 5, with reckless conduct.

8LOCAL BRIEFS McHenry Public Library to close early Friday

McHENRY – The McHenry Public Library, 809 N. Front St., will close at noon Friday for staff development. Patrons can use the library’s website – www.mchenrylibrary.org – to check their accounts, renew items and use online resources. The library will reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday. For information, call the library at 815-385-0036.

Jaycees enlist support for Share-A-Christmas

CRYSTAL LAKE – Families are available for adoption through the Crystal Lake Jaycees’ Share-A-Christmas program. To participate, visit www. cljaycees.org. This marks the 52nd year the Crystal Lake Jaycees have collected toys, books, clothing, food and cash donations through its Share-A-Christmas program. The goal is to brighten the holidays of families that recently have fallen on hard times and have not sought past assistance from the Jaycees. This year’s program has 32 families with 87 children avail-

able for adoption. There are a variety of adoption levels, ranging from a minimum suggested donation of $50 up to $350. To select a family to adopt, click on the Share-A-Christmas link at www.cljaycees.org. Upon completion of the adoption registration form, donors will be sent their adopted family’s wish list and information about when and where to drop off the gifts. For those unable to commit to adopting a family but who still would like to contribute to the program, tax-deductible donations can be addressed to the Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 7, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0007.

deadline is Dec. 7. • Breakfast or Lunch with Santa will be Dec. 18 at the McHenry Municipal Center, 333 S. Green St. The breakfast program will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; lunch will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Children will make a simple ornament, listen to a story, sings songs and visit with Santa. A continental breakfast or lunch will be served. The programs are for children ages 1 to 5 with an adult. The advanced registration fee is $10 a child; children younger than age 1 and adults may attend for free. For information, call 815-3632160 or visit www.ci.mchenry. il.us.

McHenry outlines holiday programs

MCCD sets Lost Valley Venture programs

McHENRY – The McHenry Parks and Recreation Department will host two holiday programs in December. • Letters from Santa can be sent to any child at heart. Provide the child’s full address along with payment of $1 a letter to McHenry Parks and Recreation Dept., 333 S. Green St., McHenry, IL 60050. The

RINGWOOD – A Lost Valley Venture will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 15 and 29 at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood. This family exploration program includes a nature lesson, game and activity based on this month’s topic: winter birds.

If the weather allows, guests will go for a short outdoor exploratory hike with staff, so they should dress for the weather and walking. No registration is required. All ages are welcome. Topics change monthly. In January, the topic will be animal tracks; in February it will be sugar maple trees. This program is intended for families and cannot accommodate organized groups. Youth groups should contact Prairieview Education Center at 815-479-5779 to schedule a program.

Defenders to extend store hours on Fridays

WOODSTOCK – There will be holiday music Friday evenings at the Woodstock Mall, 110 S. Johnson St., on the Woodstock Square. Expressly Leslie’s will host musicians on the main level of the mall Dec. 7 and 14. The Environmental Defenders’ of McHenry County’s used-book and gift store and The Green Spot will extend hours until 7:30 p.m. on those evenings. Proceeds from the store benefit the Defenders.

Those who sign up for the Defenders bookstore email list on those evenings will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate for five free books. As a special holiday promotion, anyone who spends $5 or more at the store during December will receive a free holiday book of his or her choice (while quantities last). For information, visit www. mcdef.org or call 815-3380393.

Jaycees hosting book drive at CL library

CRYSTAL LAKE – The Crystal Lake Jaycees Share-A-Christmas project is teaming up with the Crystal Lake Public Library to give the gift of literacy to families in need. Through Dec. 9, the Jaycees will host a book donation drive at the library, 126 W. Paddock St., Crystal Lake. New or gently used books will be accepted for children ages 1 to 18. Books also will be collected at the Monday general meeting at the Dole Mansion at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake.

– Northwest Herald

�� Our friendly snowman is waiting for you to add the finishing touches to make him complete. Add eyes, a nose, a mouth, clothing ... anything you think that will get our snowman (or snowwoman) ready for winter. You may color him, glue items on him, draw a background behind him – anything, just be creative! Four lucky participants will win valuable gift cards just in time for the holiday. Good luck!

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Clip out, decorate and mail your snowman to: Build a Snowman, P.O. Box 417, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0417. Entries may also be dropped off at our Crystal Lake office, 7717 S. Route 31. For questions, please call 815-526-4483.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS 5 PM ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2012. Children of all ages may enter (adults included!). All entries must be received by the deadline to be considered. More than one entry may be mailed in an envelope. By entering the contest, you agree to have your name printed in the Northwest Herald on the day selected drawings are featured. Winners’ decorated snowmen will be featured in a full page ad on December 21, 2012. Winners will be chosen based on creativity and idea. Employees of Shaw Media may enter, but are not eligible to win. Please note that artwork will not be returned.

LOCAL&REGION

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

8LOCAL BRIEFS

RICHMOND: EARLY MORNING BLAZE

Health department to mark World AIDS Day

WOODSTOCK – World AIDS Day, which is commemorated annually Dec. 1, was established in 1988 by the World Health Organization to raise awareness and promote advocacy and education about the global AIDS epidemic. In observance of World AIDS Day on Saturday, the McHenry County Department of Health is offering free confidential rapid HIV testing to individuals at high risk for infection. To determine whether you qualify for free testing, call the health department at 815-3344847. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.2 million Americans are infected. One in five is unaware of the infection. About 50,000 are newly infected every year, data shows. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports there are 123 people in McHenry County living with HIV, 72 of whom have advanced to AIDS. The best way to protect yourself is to know your HIV status and that of your sexual partners. Most people change behaviors to protect their partners if they know they are infected with HIV. For information, visit www. aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics or call the health department at 815334-4500.

MCC students to host pottery sale Tuesday

CRYSTAL LAKE – McHenry County College ceramics students will host a Student Pottery Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the commons area in Building B at the college, 8900 Route 14. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ryan Long Memorial Scholarship Award fund, which is available for MCC students. The fund was established in 1994 for art students in memory

of Ryan Long, who was 12 when he died in 1993. His mother, Joann Long, a ceramic artist, established the award in his name because he was interested in ceramics. The event is free and open to the public.

Free estate planning, probate seminar in CL

CRYSTAL LAKE – Faith in Action of McHenry County and Bruning and Associates will present “Probate and Estate Planning from A-Z” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at The Pointe Outreach Center, 5650 Northwest Highway (next to Target in Crystal Lake). Attorneys Stacy Stusowski and Kevin Bruning will explore the probate process, estate planning, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, charitable giving and more. There is no charge for this event, but reservations are requested by calling 815455-3120 or emailing staff@ fiamchenrycounty.org.

Seminar to feature economic outlook

CRYSTAL LAKE – The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation continues the MCC Educational Seminar Series from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday with “Economic and Market Outlook” in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14. Attendees will learn about the current market outlook and take home investing tips for 2013 from seminar presenter James E. Hodapp, senior vice president of Markets and Product Strategy at Wells Fargo Advisors. Hodapp is a member of the Corporate Credit Markets Executive Committee and the Regional Advisory Committee of SIFMA, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois

University in Edwardsville and holds the following registrations: Series 7, Series 63, Series 55 and Series 24. The seminars are free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is strongly encouraged. To reserve a seat or to view the full schedule, visit www. mchenry.edu/seminarseries. For information, call the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation Office at 815-455-8721.

Sign-up to begin for trips to sugar maples fest

MARENGO – McHenry County Conservation District offers free field trips to elementary schools in McHenry County and public tours for the annual Festival of the Sugar Maple at Coral Woods Conservation Area in Marengo. The popular Festival of the Sugar Maples School Field Trip sign-up starts Wednesday for grades two through five. The field trip is offered daily Feb. 25 to March 1 and March 4 to 8. Students will learn the fascinating history of maple sugaring and see how the sap collection process has evolved to modern techniques. They also will visit the evaporator house and to watch the sap as it is transformed into syrup. Finally, everyone gets a taste of pure Coral Woods maple syrup before they leave. The entire field trip is outdoors, lasts about an hour and travels one-mile stretch of a wooded nature trail. Teachers can call 815-4795779 to plan an outing. Free public tours are offered weekends, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2, 3, 9 and 10. Coral Woods Conservation Area is at 7400 Somerset in Marengo. For information, call 815-4795779 or visit www.mccdistrict. org.

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Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Ex-Congressman latest to seek Jackson’s seat By DON BABWIN The Associated Press

CHICAGO – Just a few blocks from a courthouse where he was convicted of fraud and a few miles from another where he was convicted of having sex with a minor, former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds announced Wednesday he is running for the congressional seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr. The former congressman is the latest entry in a race that has unleashed a frenzy of ambition, with politicians from every level seeing their once-in-a-lifetime shot at Washington – or a chance at redemption.

Among others considering a run is Sam Adam Jr., a verbose defense attorney best known for representing former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and R&B star R. Kelly. Jackson’s brother, Jonathan Jackson, is, too. Former Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, who was beaten by Jackson in the primary last spring, said she intends to run, as does state Sen. Napoleon Harris, a former Northwestern University football who played seven years in the NFL. Former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, who was sent packing by voters after a tenure marked by corruption allegations, was thinking

about making a run. But he opted against it amid reports that about $500,000 had disappeared from his campaign filings. Stroger said it was the result of an accounting error. Reynolds adds an additional layer of intrigue, startling even by the standards of Chicago – a city with a healthy reputation for corruption and that recently sent a politician back to the Legislature despite being under federal indictment. The former congressman, who was released from prison in 2001 after President Bill Clinton commuted his sentence, announced his latest political plans Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago.

AP photo

Convicted former Congressman Mel Reynolds announces at a news conference Wednesday in Chicago that he’s joining the crowded field running for the congressional seat that Jesse Jackson Jr. vacated last week.

Terrorist’s mental state Simple measures postpones resentencing cut infections

8STATE BRIEF

OSHA: Swans to blame for Villa Park man’s death

CHICAGO – Federal safety officials said the swans were to blame for the death of a Villa Park man in April. Authorities said 37-year-old Anthony Hensley worked to keep geese away from a condo complex near Des Plaines. He fell out of his kayak and drowned while checking out the swans. Officials said he apparently got too close and was attacked. WBBM radio reported investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration worked to determine whether any safety violations contributed to Hensley’s death. The agency has now cleared his employer, saying it found no violations. WBBM reported that Hensley was a good swimmer but ended up in the water fully clothed and wearing boots. Police said the swans continued to swim at him as he tried to make it to shore.

By CURT ANDERSON

“It would be bene�cial. It is in his best interest to continue the sentencing.”

The Associated Press MIAMI – Convicted terrorism plotter Jose Padilla’s resentencing was postponed by a federal judge Wednesday after his defense attorney argued Padilla is deteriorating psychologically from years of isolation and said he needs more time for family visits. Attorney Michael Caruso said Padilla’s family in South Florida has been able to visit him only one time since 2008 at the Supermax prison in Florence, Colo., where he is kept in solitary confinement 23 hours a day and allowed no contact with other inmates. Now that Padilla, 42, is back at a Miami detention center, his mother and brothers can see him more regularly and perhaps improve his mental condition, Caruso told U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke at a hearing. He did not elaborate on Padilla’s mental issues.

– Wire report

Michael Caruso Jose Padilla’s attorney “It would be beneficial. It is in his best interest to continue the sentencing,” Caruso said. At one point, Caruso called the harsh prison conditions akin to torture, which was rejected by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Frazier. “He is not in some black hole of Calcutta,” Frazier said. Cooke agreed to postpone the resentencing hearing from Monday to Jan. 29. A new sentence must be imposed because the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Padilla’s original 17-year sentence was too lenient for a trained alQaida operative who also had a long criminal record as a Chicago gang member. Among other things,

TWO LAKE IN T E

“People are human, they make mistakes,” said Reynolds, who spoke in front of a sign that read: “REDEMPTION.” Jackson, the son of a civil rights icon, resigned last week, citing his ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder. He also confirmed publicly for the first time that he is the subject of a federal probe and is cooperating with investigators. A Harvard graduate and a Rhodes Scholar, Reynolds unseated U.S. Rep. Gus Savage in 1992, two years after a House ethics committee determined that during an official trip to Africa Savage had made improper sexual advances to a female Peace Corps volunteer.

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Cooke gave Padilla credit for more than three years he was imprisoned without criminal charge in a South Carolina Navy brig as an enemy combatant. Those years were also in intense isolation, court records show. Padilla, who according to trial testimony trained at an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan, was arrested in 2002 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on what authorities at the time said was a terrorist mission to detonate a radioactive “dirty bomb” in a major U.S. city. Those allegations were dropped before Padilla was added to an existing South Florida terrorism support indictment.

caught in hospitals By LINDSEY TANNER The Associated Press CHICAGO – Preventing surgery-linked infections is a major concern for hospitals and it turns out some simple measures can make a big difference. A project at seven big hospitals reduced infections after colorectal surgeries by nearly one-third. It prevented an estimated 135 infections, saving almost $4 million, the Joint Commission hospital regulating group and the American College of Surgeons announced Wednesday. The two groups directed the 2½-year project. Solutions included having patients shower with special germ-fighting soap before surgery and having surgery teams change gowns, gloves and instruments during op-

erations to prevent spreading germs picked up during the procedures. Some hospitals used special wound-protecting devices on surgery openings to keep intestine germs from reaching the skin. The average rate of infections linked with colorectal operations at the seven hospitals dropped from about 16 percent of patients during a 10-month phase when hospitals started adopting changes to almost 11 percent once all the changes had been made. “The improvements translate into safer patient care,” said Dr. Mark Chassin, president of the Joint Commission. “Now it’s our job to spread these effective interventions to all hospitals.” Almost 2 million health care-related infections occur each year nationwide; more than 90,000 of them are fatal.

ADVICE

Page C6 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Physical therapy helps torn ACL Boyfriend can’t fill father’s shoes for 9-year-old daughter

Dear Abby: My husband committed suicide 2 1/2 years ago. We had been married for 13 years and had two daughters who are now 15 and 9. The l5-year-old seems to be doing fine. The 9-year-old is not. But my biggest problem is my live-in boyfriend, “Tim.” While I love him and mostly enjoy his company, he appears to dislike my 9-year-old. She needs male attention because her dad was an attentive, wonderful father. I have discussed this with Tim. His response is he has a hard time doing it because she is “totally out of control and crazy.” Abby, she is none of that. She is a child with a lot of energy. I don’t know what to do. I know it isn’t fair to my daughter, but I’m lonely and miss Tim when he’s not there. I’d appreciate any advice you can give me. – Trying to Move

On in Ohio Dear Trying: I am so sorry

for your loss. However, parents get only one chance at parenting, which is why it’s so important to do it right the first time. What is happening in your household is unfair to your daughter. She should not be forced to live with a man who doesn’t like her and can’t give her positive reinforcement. That’s why, for her sake, it would be bet-

DEAR ABBY Jeanne Phillips ter for you and Tim to live apart. If you choose him over your daughter, you will later regret it and could cause her serious emotional problems for decades. Dear Abby: The holidays are right around the corner, and my husband and I have had a difficult couple of years financially. I’m a full-time student; he is the only one bringing in an income while we raise two young boys. I love the holidays – except for shopping for others. I hate spending money I don’t have looking for that perfect gift for everyone on my list. More often than not, the gift ends up being re-gifted or in the summer garage sale. For the past two years I have asked that if people want to give gifts, to please give them to the kids and leave us adults out of it. My requests have been ignored. I know for a fact my extended family is as strapped for cash as I am, but they charge on credit cards. Should I refuse a gift I can’t reciprocate or thank them and try not to feel guilty? The name exchange option didn’t work. I feel there should be

more to the holidays than going into debt for gifts. – Ma

Humbug in Oregon Dear Ma Humbug: I agree

with you, and so would credit counselors coast to coast. Thank your relatives for their gifts. Reiterate that money is tight, so you will be giving gifts to the youngest family members only. If you feel you must reciprocate in some way, whip up a batch of holiday cookies or fudge brownies, wrap them with a colorful ribbon and make that your holiday gift. Dear Abby: My husband and I have been married for six years. Before I met him, I was with a woman. I don’t want my husband to find out about it because I’m afraid it will turn him on and he’ll want to have threesomes. (He enjoys looking at lesbian porn.) Should I feel this way about telling him? – Wants

My Past In the Past Dear Wants Your Past in the Past: If you think there is a chance your husband will find out, then the person he should hear it from is you. And if he suggests having a threesome, tell him you are happy as things are and you prefer to remain monogamous.

Dear Dr. K: I tore my ACL. Is surgery inevitable? Dear Reader: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a band of tissue that runs through the middle of the knee joint and keeps the shinbone from sliding forward past the thighbone. The ACL can tear during a sudden or awkward twist, turn or stop. More often than not, it’s these noncontact injuries that injure an ACL. Between 100,000 and 200,000 ACL injuries occur each year in the United States. Women are more vulnerable to ACL injuries than men, but it’s not clear why. The anatomy of a woman’s knee is different from a man’s. When a woman pivots or stops suddenly while running, her knee is bent more inward than a man’s. This puts more strain on the ACL. Obesity and weakness of the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh also appear to be associated with ACL injury. For elite athletes, the treatment is fairly clear: reconstructive surgery to replace the ACL, plus intense physical therapy. The sports that most often are associated with ACL injuries are skiing, football and gymnastics.

ASK DR. K Dr. Anthony Komaroff

I’m assuming that, like most of us, you’re a recreational athlete. If so, the answer is often different. If your ACL is only partially torn, then forgoing surgery in favor of rehabilitation through physical therapy is worth considering. Surgery still could be an option down the road. Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around your knee enough so they compensate for the nonworking ACL. A knee brace could protect your ACL during an occasional tennis or soccer game. Without surgery, you should recover enough to be active again within two or three months. That’s compared with about six months for surgery patients. On the flip side, surgery will make your joint more stable than physical therapy rehab alone. Once your ACL has healed, these exercises can help prevent re-injury: • Strengthen the muscles around the knee. Keeping your quadriceps (front of the thigh) and hamstring mus-

cles strong and flexible will make the knee more stable. One exercise that strengthens the quads and hamstrings is a walking lunge. This involves taking a large step forward and dropping the back knee down toward the floor, keeping your front knee over your ankle. • Keep your hip muscles strong. One-legged squats – knee bends done while standing on one leg – are a great way to strengthen the hips, quadriceps and hamstrings and to improve your balance. When you do a one-legged squat, bend your knee slowly so it ends up just over your toes. I’ve put an illustration of the correct way to perform a walking lunge and one-legged squat on my website. You and your doctor will need to carefully consider the extent of your injury, your age, your activities and other factors when determining the best treatment for your ACL injury. Whether you have surgical or nonsurgical treatment, studies have found that after the recovery period, you’ll be much improved.

• Write Doctor K at 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.

• Write Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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Thursday, November 29 2012 • Page C7

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“

I want to feel like a champion.” Reality TV star Melissa Rycroft on the eve of winning “Dancing With The Star: All Stars”

Smell like Katy Perry

THINGS

WORTH TALKIN’ ABOUT

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • PlanitNorthwest.com/buzz

Katy Perry is adding some new scents to her perfume line. The singer and songwriter is to develop a line of signature scents with beauty company Coty Inc., according to an announcement released Wednesday. Coty will distribute them on a larger scale than the Purr and Meow! perfumes that Perry previously crafted. The company says Perry’s “unique approach to music and life” will drive her inspiration, and move toward “new avenues of scent creation.” Other pop stars to concoct their own fragrances include Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift. Coty’s perfume brands include Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Playboy.

BUZZWORTHY

Adele album sales hit milestone

Kardashian divorce nears trial Kim Kardashian’s divorce attorney told a judge Wednesday that the reality star wants to move on with her life but is “handcuffed” to her estranged husband because the case is not yet ready for trial. Superior Court Judge Stephen Moloney told attorneys for Kardashian and NBA player Kris Humphries to return to court in midFebruary to set a trial date to either dissolve or annul the couple’s 72-day marriage. He didn’t set a deadline for depositions and other pre-trial investigation to be completed, but indicated a trial could be held early next year if it is ready by Feb. 15. Humphries, a power forward for the Brooklyn Nets, is seeking an annulment based on fraud, but his attorney says he needs more time to collect documents from companies that handle Kardashian’s reality shows. Kardashian is seeking a traditional divorce, and her attorney Laura Wasser has cited both the marriage’s short duration and a prenuptial agreement as reasons for why it should be quickly resolved. “I don’t think his client has a fraud case,” Wasser said in court of Humphries’ attorney. “I think there’s a fishing expedition going on here.” Humphries’ attorney Marshall Waller said he needed to be sure he had documents from E! Entertainment and NBC Universal before deciding the scope of his case, but that he was narrowing it down.

Adele is rolling in the records. The 24-year-old British songstress’s album “21” has sold more than 10 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album reached the milestone last week, less than two years after its release. “21” is the 21st album to sell 10 million copies since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991. Adele’s sophomore studio album debuted in 2011 and featured hits such as “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You” and “Set Fire to the Rain.” It’s the third album to reach the 10 million mark in 2012. Linkin Park’s “Hybrid Theory” and Usher’s “Confessions” both crossed the 10 million mark earlier this year. Adele won in all six categories she was nominated in at the Grammys earlier this year, including album of the year.

Director Forman to be honored

Two-time Academy Award winner Milos Forman is receiving the lifetime-achievement award from his peers at the Directors Guild of America. The filmmaker who won Oscars for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus” will be getting the guild honor at the directors union awards ceremony Feb. 2.

More celeb news at PlanitNorthwest.com/buzz In announcing the award Wednesday, guild President Taylor Hackford called Forman one of the greatest filmmakers of modern times, saying the filmmaker finds the “universality of the human experience in every story.” Along with the directing Oscars for “Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus,” Forman also received the Directors Guild top prize for both films. Forman is the 34th recipient of the guild honor, whose past recipients include Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, Ingmar Bergman, Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock.

Houston’s daughter cited

Police say the daughter of the late Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown was cited in a car accident in a northern Atlanta suburb. Officers Wednesday morning responded to a call about a black Chevrolet Camaro that slid off the road and landed in a ditch in Alpharetta. They found 19-year-old Bobbi Kristina Brown standing beside her damaged car near her home. Police say Brown lost control and was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No injuries were reported. Police cited Brown for failing to maintain her lane.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS Blues musician John Mayall is 79. Actress Diane Ladd is 77. Musician Chuck Mangione is 72. Country singer Jody Miller is 71. Singer-keyboardist Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals is 70. Comedian Garry Shandling is 63. Director Joel Coen is 58. Actor-comedian Howie Mandel is 57. Actress Cathy Moriarty is 52. Actress Kim Delaney (“NYPD Blue”) is 51. Actor Tom Sizemore is 51. Actor Andrew McCarthy is 50. Actor Don Cheadle is 48. Singer Jonathan

Knight of New Kids on the Block is 44. Actor Larry Joe Campbell (“According to Jim”) is 42. Keyboardist Frank Delgado of Deftones is 42. Actress Paola Turbay (“True Blood”) is 42. Actress Gena Lee Nolin is 41. Actor Brian Baumgartner (“The Office”) is 40. Actress Anna Faris (“Scary Movie”) is 36. Rapper The Game is 33. Drummer Ringo Garza of Los Lonely Boys is 31. Actor Lucas Black (“Sling Blade,” “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”) is 30.

Business editor: Chris Cashman • ccashman@shawmedia.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012 Northwest Herald

★ ★★ ★

Turning of�ce politics to your advantage. Page D2

★

★★

SECTION D

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Business

Terri Greeno

Breaking news @ www.NWHerald.com 8BUSINESS ROUNDUP

THE MARKETS

Pink Door Thrift Shop extends hours Tuesdays

106.98 12,985.11

23.99 2,991.78

10.99 1,409.93

OIL

$86.68 a barrel -$0.50

THE STOCKS Stock

Change

64.57 +0.51 38.69 +0.28 40.63 +0.43 582.94 -1.84 47.58 +0.27 33.62 unch 59.77 +0.35 65.99 +0.18 54.90 +0.61 37.56 +0.40 36.66 +0.37 57.60 +0.21 17.10 +0.41 29.87 +0.16 29.85 +0.09 88.10 +0.75 26.36 +0.21 11.25 +0.15 25.28 +0.27 683.67 +12.96 27.82 +0.40 191.98 +0.75 40.83 +0.08 51.15 -0.01 45.82 +0.49 8.85 +0.02 86.52 +0.60 27.36 +0.28 7.07 +0.04 54.43 +0.40 10.16 +0.13 70.35 +0.24 17.00 -0.11 16.96 +0.42 44.48 -1.57 78.56 +0.87 9.43 +0.14 2.80 +0.10 62.81 +0.24 20.18 +0.04 70.56 +1.06 33.32 +0.29 32.37 +0.46 36.49 +0.05

Abbott Labs AGL Resources Allstate Apple

AptarGroup AT&T Bank of Montreal Baxter CME Group Coca-Cola Comcast Covidien Dean Foods Dow Chemical Exelon Exxon Facebook Ford General Motors Google Hillshire IBM JPMorganChase Kohl’s Kraft Foods Group Live Nation McDonald’s Microsoft Modine Moto Solutions OfficeMax Pepsi Pulte Homes Safeway Sears Holdings Snap-On Southwest Air. Supervalu Target United Contint. Wal-Mart Walgreen Waste Mgmt. Wintrust Fincl.

COMMODITIES Metal

Change

Gold Silver Copper

1718.60 33.675 3.524

-23.70 -0.306 -0.0125

Grain (cents per bushel) Close

Corn Soybeans Oats Wheat

760.25 1446.25 370.75 876.00

Livestock

Live cattle Feeder cattle Lean hogs

131.65 146.05 87.45

Change

Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com

Christmas Decor by Arvidson & Sons employee Vladimir Buenfil of McHenry installs holiday lights and wreaths at Niko’s Lodge in Algonquin Tuesday.

Decor chore Company stresses safe installation for holidays NORTHWEST HERALD CRYSTAL LAKE – According to the Home Safety Council, four out of five U.S. households plan to use ladders around their homes to prepare for the holiday season. Annually, during the two months surrounding the holiday season, more than 14,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries related to holiday decorating. Christmas Decor by Arvidson & Sons Inc. provides the Crystal Lake area with professional holiday and event decorating, eliminating unnecessary accidents for local residents. Its designers are trained to execute lighting displays on high roofs, ladders, and in tricky situations. Christmas Decor installation crews are professionally trained to use care when decorating a client’s home, without damaging moldings, roofing, or architectural elements. “Homeowners are simply not following proper safety practices,” said Dennis Marunde of Christmas Decor by Arvidson & Sons Inc.. “These unsafe practices can lead to major injury and even death, turning the holidays from a time of celebration into a time of tragedy.” While Marunde recommends homeowners and businesses use a professional for holiday decorating to prevent injuries, he offers these safety tips for homeowners who insist on doing their own decoration installations: • Use proper climbing equipment. Eighty-two percent of consumers reported climbing on chairs, counters, shelves and other pieces of furniture when decorating for the holidays. Invest in a sturdy and reliable ladder that can adapt to different heights according to your needs. • Practice safe techniques. Secure

Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com

Christmas Decor by Arvidson & Sons employee Hector Alonso hangs up holiday lights on a tree at Niko’s Lodge in Algonquin. ladders on even ground, don’t stand on the top two steps of a ladder, and don’t reach further than you should when decorating around windows. • Aluminum and electricity don’t mix. Thirty-two percent of consumers admit to stringing lights while they are plugged in. If your ladder is aluminum it will conduct electricity and an error can cause electrocution. • Alcohol consumption when climbing ladders can lead to injury and death. Also, decorate outside during daylight hours. “Hopefully homeowners will leave it to the pros,” added Marunde. “If not, we recommend these tips to help keep area residents safe and healthy for the holiday season.” To learn more about Christmas Decor by Arvidson & Sons Inc. in Crystal Lake, call 815-459-0660 or email DennisM@arvidsons.com.

About Christmas Decor Since its inception in 1986, Christmas Decor has risen to become the premier holiday lighting and decorating company in North America. The Texas-based company was founded by Blake Smith as an off-season supplement to his landscape business and as a method to provide year-round work for employees. Christmas Decor emerged as a viable business opportunity and today operates in more than 350 markets in 48 states and Canada. Plans are under way to open locations in more than 100 new markets through franchise expansion in select communities around the country. Christmas Decor has been named one of the Top Ten Home Improvement Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine. For more information, visit www. christmasdecor.net.

+0.25 -3.00 -2.25 +3.00 Change

-0.675 -0.875 +0.725

Stay connected To sign up for the Northwest Herald Business Update weekly email newsletter, select Business Update at NWHerald.com/newsletter.

Health, Fitness and Nutrition Expo Jan. 6 CRYSTAL LAKE – Park Place, a Crystal Lake Park District banquet facility at 406 W. Woodstock St., will host the Health, Fitness and Nutrition Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 6. There are a limited number of booth spaces still available for health-, fitness- and nutritionrelated businesses and organizations. Vendor booth space is $125. A vendor information packet and registration form can be downloaded online at www.crystallakeparks.org. All event advertising is provided by the Crystal Lake Park District, including park district brochure, newspaper advertising, banner advertising, and radio advertising. Vendors will benefit from a large audience of health-, fitness- and nutrition-minded individuals, and participating businesses and organizations will be included in welcome bag distribution to expo attendees. Expo admission is free. For more information, call Lauren Thibodeau at 815-4775871.

Business Management Fast Track at MCC CRYSTAL LAKE – Those looking to enhance their careers or prepare for a management position can gain a competitive edge in today’s workforce with a Business Management degree through the accelerated Fast Track program at McHenry County College. Two new Business Management courses are starting in January. Students earn six to nine credit hours per semester by attending classes one evening per week or online. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Management, as well as professional certificates. Other Fast Track courses at the college’s Crystal Lake campus effectively prepare students for success in construction, manufacturing and network security. Classes are offered in 16-week, eight-week, online and blended formats. depending on the program. For more information, visit www.mchenry.edu/fasttrack, or call Lori Smyth at 815-479-7831.

‘Goodbye to 2012’ mixer Dec. 11 in Huntley

Business blog The Business Scene blog is your connection to McHenry County’s business information today. Visit NWHerald.com/ blogs/business.

McHENRY – The Pink Door Thrift Shop, 3741 W. Elm St., McHenry, will extend hours until 8 p.m. Dec. 4 for a special holiday sale. The store will continue the extended shopping hours each Tuesday through Dec. 18. The holiday sale features special markdowns throughout the store and a bag sale on clothing for men, women and children. The newly opened boutique room offers evening and formal wear, bags and shoes. The Auxiliary to Centegra Hospital - McHenry has operated the Pink Door for more than 30 years. Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 815-344-4560.

Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com

Christmas Decor by Arvidson & Sons employees hang holiday lights and wreaths at Niko’s Lodge in Algonquin.

HUNTLEY – A “Goodbye to 2012” multi-member mixer will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Talamore Club House, 12121 Talamore Blvd., Huntley. Hosts are Century 21 New Heritage/Lora Mahnke, Ryland Homes, and Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. For more information, call 847-669-0166.

BUSINESS

Page D2 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Office politics can help career advancement

With the November elections fresh in our minds, our society has been immersed in political slogans, advertisements, debates and jargon. Election years are prime time for different sides to expose the other candidates’ weaknesses by exploiting decisions on every political plane and elevating their own strengths in the process. This sleight of hand is deemed negative politics. Unfortunately, negative politics is not restrained to merely public office. In the workplace, office politics can be a driving force in career advancement and placement. According to an open-ended survey by Gallup, a research-based consulting company, office politics is among the most disliked aspect of the workplace, especially among college graduates. So if one cannot escape negative office politics, one must overcome it. Understanding office politics and know-

ing how to choose the other side of negative politics, the positive, can go a long way in helping one’s career. Great politicians have one thing in common: They are great with people. Hundreds of public servants have been seen shaking hands and holding babies. Moreover, some go into politics to genuinely help their constituents. In the workplace, politics can be used to humbly build one’s self up and help others out. The positive side of office politics can secure and strengthen reputations, earn respect and build strong relationships. One strength of overcoming office politics by exuding positive techniques is that it helps to create a strong reputation in the office. No matter what type of employee or coworker you are, a reputation or brand supersedes experience. Whether known for working hard, al-

WORK FORCE Terri Greeno ways offering assistance or backstabbing, one’s personal brand can help or hurt an employee’s chances of moving up the corporate ladder. Developing a track record as someone who accomplishes goals and gets results will lend itself to more opportunities. Status and job title only go so far in garnering respect at the office. The old saying is just as true as ever: Respect is earned. With a solid reputation, respect is available through constancy and continuous improvement. If an employee is constantly putting others first and helping during a crisis, coworkers will start looking toward that sure-footed

person as an expert in certain areas. This goes hand in hand with employers as well. If employees are always producing quality work, doing work outside of their specific pay grade and are well respected by their coworkers, management will also give respect. The relationships of good office politics are vital to career advancement. Being genuine in connecting with others can create strong allies who will be great supporters and advocates in the future. Showing respect for others’ ideas, even when they may not be the best solutions for the company, helps strengthen professional relationships. Nicety and respect are still powerful tools to help influence outcomes at work. A recent poll by Monster, an online employment solution company, concluded that 18 percent of coworkers do not want friends at work. Be-

ing friendly with those who do not want to be friends can be tough, but employees who focus on what they can do and bring solutions to the table will elevate their career by standing out as a problem solver. Office politics can be a minefield to navigate but take advantage of the opportunity. Some employees feel the need to create alliances against others, gossip or cut people down to elevate their career. Do not take this road to destruction. It doesn’t work in the political arena and it won’t work in the workplace. Take advice from the positive side of politics and move up the office ladder with bridges kept intact. You will win at office politics every time by doing the right thing!

• Terri Greeno owns Express Employment Professionals in Crystal Lake.

Business partnerships help foundation turn music vision into reality NORTHWEST HERALD CARPENTERSVILLE – During the first few months of the new school year, the D300 Foundation for Educational Excellence teamed up with Otto Engineering and the Carpentersville Rotary to turn a vision into a reality for Carpentersville Middle School music teacher Michael Kasper. Kasper’s vision was to take two old closets and transform them into storage space for the D300 Foundation’s Instrument Lending Library and a private practice room for his music students. This project came to life when Diane Magerko, D300 Foundation trustee, received a generous donation from Otto Engineering providing all the necessary building supplies and James Olvera, Rotary Club of Carpentersville-Morning volunteered to organize all the labor for this project. “In addition to our club members we had two outstanding contractor volunteers, Brian Lood and Richard Olvera, who did a great job with some of the more challenging tasks that needed to be accomplished,” Olvera said. “The immediate

use of each space was pretty amazing and eye opening to the fact of how much they were actually needed. Again, we are very happy about the success of the project and appreciate the opportunity to be involved.” Diane Magerko, Fund Development chair for the foundation, said, “Our partnerships with the local businesses and organizations are so very vital to the foundation. When we work together on these types of projects with local businesses and organizations, it brings our communities closer together, and everyone benefits from the outcome.” If you have a musical instrument sitting in the back of your closet or basement, consider donating it to the D300 Foundation’s Lending Library. You may drop off your instrument donation, which is tax deductible, at the Central Office in Carpentersville at 300 Cleveland Ave., or call the foundation for a pickup at 847-551-8475. For information about how you can partner with the D300 Foundation and to view some of the project grants it has funded, visit www.d300foundation.org.

Imagetec L.P. selected as recipient of Torch Award

McHENRY – Imagetec L.P. has been selected as a recipient for the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago & Northern Illinois’ Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Imagetec last was awarded the Torch Award in 2011. This is the 16th year the BBB has been honoring companies for “Doing It Right – Ethically.” This year’s competition received more than 2,060 nominations and eight were selected recipients for the year. Companies were judged in seven general categories based on employee size by an independent panel of judges from the business and academic community, based on criteria including ethical standards of behavior

towards customers, suppliers, employees and the community. Imagetech was selected in Category III for companies with 100-999 employees. “The Torch Award is a mark of distinction that we are proud to showcase. It symbolizes our commitment to offering the best business practices and ethics towards our employees, customers and vendor relationships. It shows our clients that they can depend on us to be treated fairly before and after a sale,” said Richard Cucco, Imagetec managing partner. Imagetec, founded in 1992, has become the largest independent office equipment dealer based in the Chicago market.

B&K Power Equipment to collect items for food pantries

MARENGO – B&K Power Equipment Inc., 17009 Harmony Road, Marengo, is having an area food pantry drive Dec. 13-15. Items will be collected for the Grafton Food Pantry, M.O.R.E. Center and the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry. Items that the food pantries need include: Gas cards or local store gift cards, paper goods, personal grooming items,

household cleaning items, baby items, condiments and nonperishable food items. Donation hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14, and 7 a.m. to noon Dec. 15. B&K Power Equipment will makeacashdonationequalto5 percent of all parts department cash-and-carry sales made Dec. 13-15. The funds will be split equally between the three food pantries.

Provided photo

MLS Mailing Inc. in Huntley has expanded its operation with the purchase of two Konica Minolta bizhub digital presses.

MLS Mailing expands with digital presses HUNTLEY – MLS Mailing Inc., a fullservice mailing, fulfillment, print and marketing services provider, has expanded with two new Konica Minolta bizhub digital presses. Owners Maria and Angel Vazquez said they added the latest digital technology in response to the needs of their clients. Established in Chicago in 1984, MLS Mailing moved to the suburbs in 1993 and opened its 10,000-square-foot facility at 11381 Allison Court in Huntley in 1998. The addition of the Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C8000 will allow MLS Mailing to achieve new levels in client deliverables. Owner and President Maria Vazquez noted that technology has accelerated at a dizzying pace over the past

few years. “In tandem, businesses have harnessed the technology and developed new customer-centric techniques for motivating people to purchase products and services,” she said. “One of them is the digital printing market. This is why we conquered our fears and stepped into the digital work with Konica Minolta and their C8000 and bizhub PRO 951 digital presses.” The bizhub PRESS C8000 incorporates new Simitri HD+ color polymerized toner for offset-like image quality, and utilizes a new dual fusing system that improves throughput productivity even when running heavy weight stocks. The press employs an air and vacuum belt paper feeding system, similar to an offset press, for

reliable substrate handling. MLS selected the CREO Color Server and Print Shop Mail variable data printing software to help maintain color standards with sophisticated color management tools, and to provide customized and personalized direct mail marketing pieces. The bizhub PRO 951, a digital blackand-white press, images at 95 pages per minute and will allow MLS to provide services including direct mail pieces, marketing collateral, manuals, booklets, and other supporting work for customers on a tight deadline. For more information about MLS, call 847-669-0030, or visit www.mlsdirectmailing.com.

8CALENDAR Area chambers of commerce • Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce, 2114 W. Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills. Information: 847-658-5300; www. algonquin-lith-chamber.com. • Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, 445 Park Ave., Cary. Information: 847-639-2800; www. carygrovehamber.com. • Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, 427 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake.: 815-459-1300; www.clchamber. com. • Fox Lake Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 71 Nippersink St., Fox Lake. Information: 847-587-7474; www.discoverfoxlake. com. • Hampshire Area Chamber of Commerce, 153 South State St. Hampshire. Information: 847-683-1122; www.hampshirechamber.org. • Harvard Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 62 N. Ayer St., Suite B, Harvard. Information: 815943-4404; www.harvcc.net.

Today, Nov. 29

• 7:45 a.m.: Power Partners of Cary Grove meets at Century 21/Sketchbook 20 Northwest Hwy., Cary. Call Ryan Fain of The Mailroom, 815-353-8600.

Friday, Nov. 30

• 7:30 to 9 a.m.: Business Networking International/Northwest Business Associates, Colonial Café 2555 W. Bunker Hill Road, Algonquin. Information: Shawn Blaha, 815-356-2118.

• Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce, 11704 Coral St., Huntley. Information: (847) 669-0166; www. huntleychamber.org. • Marengo-Union Chamber of Commerce, 116 S. State St., Marengo. Information: 815-568-6680; www. marengo-union.com. • McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, 1257 N. Green St., McHenry. Information: 815-385-4300; www.mchenrychamber.com. • Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce, 429 Randall Road, Suite B, Carpentersville. Information: 847-426-8565; www.nkcchamber. com. • Richmond/Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce, 10906 Main St., Richmond. Information: 815-678-7742; www.rsgchamber.com. • Wonder Lake Chamber of Commerce, 7602 Hancock Drive, Wonder Lake. Information: 815-728-0682; www.wonderlake.org. • Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, 136 Cass St., Woodstock. Information: 815-338-2436; www. woodstockilchamber.com.

• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: McHenry chamber Prosperity Training, Inc. Lunch Time Mixer. Location TBA.

Saturday, Dec. 1

• 2-5 p.m.: Fox River Grove Tree Lighting Festival, Algonquin Road School, 975 Algonquin Road, Fox River Grove. • 4 p.m.: Village of Huntley Christmas on the Square Holiday Parade. Huntley chamber will host a special appearance

from Mrs. Claus in chamber office during the day.

Sunday, Dec. 2

• Noon to 3 p.m.: Merry Cary Holiday Festival and Parade, downtown Cary. Parade, visits with Santa, petting zoo, pony rides and more.

Monday, Dec. 3

• 10:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting at Allstate - The Hapanovich Agency, 60 E. Main St., Cary. • 7-8 p.m.: McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce SOHO meeting at Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. Information: 815-385-4300.

Tuesday, Dec. 4

• 7 a.m.: LeTip of Algonquiin/ Lake in the Hills, Colonial Café, 2555 W. Bunker Hill Road, Algonquin. Information: Mark Sessa, 847-409-6383; www. letip.com. • 7:30 a.m.: Crystal Lake Business Network, Algonquin Bank & Trust, 4049 West Algonquin Road, Algonquin. Information: Laura Sinnaeve, 847-204-4899. • 7:30 a.m.: Crystal Lake chamber’s Referral Exchange Network, Exemplar Financial Network, 413 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Information: Kevin Bruning, 815-455-3000. • 7:30 a.m.: Crystal Lake chamber’s Business 2 Business Network, Benedict’s La Strata, 40 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.

Information: Mike Daniele, 815356-2126. • 5-7 p.m.: McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party at Chili’s Grill & Bar. Information: 815-385-4300.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

• 7 to 8:30 a.m.: Woodstock LeTip, Vaughan’s Restaurant, 790 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock. Information: Richard Toepper, 815-338-9900. • 7 a.m.: McHenry County LeTip, Panera Bread, 6000 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake. Information: Donna Nilsson, 815-206-5600; dnilsson@ amfam.com. • 8 a.m.: Cary Grove Referral Network, Cary Bank & Trust, 60 E. Main St., Cary. Information: Shirley Rochford, 847-3414104. • 8 a.m.: Lighthouse Business Networking, St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, 8901 Cary-Algonquin Road, Cary. Information: Richard Sansone, 847-516-0433; Steve Randahl, 847-769-6285. • 5-6:15 p.m.: Discover the McHenry Area Chamber orientation. Chamber office.

Thursday, Dec. 6

• 7:45 a.m.: Power Partners of Cary Grove meets at Century 21/Sketchbook 20 Northwest Hwy., Cary. Call Ryan Fain of The Mailroom, 815-353-8600.

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

BUSINESS

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • Page D3

Union moving offices to Woodstock Plasterers, cement masons local plans trades programs at new site By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com

WOODSTOCK – Taking advantage of low prices, the union representing cement masons and plasterers across northern Illinois bought an industrial building just outside Woodstock. a location with potential for growth, a union official said. Local 11 relocated its offices to 1102 Rail Drive from Lakemoor and plans to operate its apprenticeship and con-

tinuing education programs out of the 7,200-square-foot building at the Trakk Industrial Park. The union, which represents 1,200 workers, has been training its members and potential full members since 1960, business manager Art Sturms said. The real change is that instead of renting space throughout its territory, classes will be consolidated in the new facility, he said. It covers nearly all of north-

ern Illinois from as far south as Iroquois County to the Wisconsin border, excluding Cook and DuPage counties. Its territory also includes counties in Iowa and Minnesota. While it means a longer drive for its participants, it won’t be a financial burden, Sturms said, because their mileage is reimbursed. The new, consolidated location was picked because its membership is concentrated in the collar counties. The site is also a better fit for its longterm plans, he said. “Here we have the potential to add on once work does pick up,” Sturms said, referring to the space that the 1.1-

acre lot has for expansion. “The bottom line is we bought the building because the commercial market is, as far as what the building costs... Four or five years ago we could have never bought this building for what we bought it for.” The building was purchased for $450,000 in July after being originally listed for $495,000 through Harding Real Estate. Rick Bellairs of Harding Real Estate handled the transaction. Four or five years down the road, Sturms could see the union adding on to the facility but that is contingent on the economy improving and

building steps up. “We have no problem investing in our future,” Sturms said. “We’re going to be here. I don’t foresee anything that could change what we’re doing. People need concrete and roads built. That stuff needs to be done.” For now, a minimal amount of work needs to be done to get classrooms and hands-on concrete workshops in the back of the building ready by the time classes start in January. The three-year program trains apprentices, preparing them to work in the industry as full members of the union. As they make their way through it, they receive 70,

80 or 90 percent of the unionnegotiated wage. It’s a partnership between the union and the contractors its members work for and is funded through employer contributions. When someone is hired, a contractor asks for him to be put in the program. There are some people on a waiting list to get in, Sturms said, but most program participants are new hires or people they’re looking to move into that area. On average, between 20 and 30 apprentices go through the program each year, he said. For more information, visit opcmialocal11.com.

New home sales dip .3 percent in October By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON – U.S. sales of new homes fell slightly in October and September sales were slower than initially thought. The October sales pace was dragged lower by steep declines on the East Coast, partly related to Superstorm Sandy. TheCommerceDepartment said Wednesday that newhome sales dipped 0.3 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 368,000. That’s down marginally from the 369,000 pace in September, which was revised lower from an initially reported 389,000. Sales fell a sharp 32.3 per-

cent in the Northeast and nearly 12 percent in the South. The government said Sandy had a minimal effect on the housing data because it made landfall in the final days of the month. Still, the storm disrupted business activity from North Carolina to Maine. States outside the area affected by the storm fared better. Sales surged 62.2 percent in the Midwest and were up 8.8 percent in the West. “Sales probably would have been slightly stronger without the hurricane,” said Jim O’Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics. “Still, the report was disappointing.” Sales were still 17 percent

higher in October than the same month in 2011. Even with the gain, new-home sales are well below the annual rate of 700,000 that economists consider healthy. “Over the past 18 months, new home sales have been on the gentle rising trend although they remain at a very depressed level,” said Steven Wood, chief economist at Insight Economics. The modest improvement in the new-home market this year follows other reports that show the housing market starting to recover more than five years after the bubble burst. Home prices are rising, sales are up, and builders are starting work on more new

Realtors debate open houses over holidays NORTHWEST HERALD

ELGIN – Is holding an open house during the holidays a waste of time, or can it really help sell your home? Many home sellers and real estate agents will be asking themselves that question in the weeks to come. To offer some guidance, the Re/Max Northern Illinois real estate network asked a sampling of its agents who regularly hold open houses at other times of the year for their views on the issue. The primary reason to hold an open house during the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, the agents agreed, is that anyone who stops in is probably eager to purchase a home. “People going to open houses during that period usually are dead serious about finding a home sooner rather than later,” said Sheila Yakutis of Re/ Max Synergy in Orland Park. “Instead of doing their holiday shopping, entertaining or visiting family, they are out dealing with the weather and checking out listings.” There are a number of factors that bring out buyers during the holidays, but idle curiosity, a major factor at other times of the year, is rarely one of them, she observed. According to Elena Dan of Re/Max 1st Class Realty in Skokie, common buyer motivations for holiday house hunting include capturing year-end tax benefits, the need to relocate quickly or a belief that home prices are at their lowest during the winter months, which Dan said is not always the case. Yet even with strongly motivated buyers in the market, many agents and sellers do cut back on their home marketing efforts over the holidays because of travel, other obligations or just a desire to relax and enjoy the season, according to Dan. “Most sellers want to stop by the end of November, and I

have to encourage them to let me do an open house during the holidays,” she said. “The truth is that one of the best months I’ve ever had selling homes was in December.” Brian Ernst of Re/Max Action in Lisle believes strongly in the value of open houses for both sellers and their agents. He holds open houses, primarily in Naperville and Aurora, throughout the year but views the holiday season as an especially advantageous time. “There’s less competition because other agents and sellers aren’t as active. Buyers are serious, and they have the added incentive of tax advantages if they can close by the end of the year,” he said. “Doing open houses during the holidays can benefit all my listings because if the home that is open is not quite right for a buyer, another one of my listings could be ideal.” Another plus during the holiday season, according to Ernst, is that with friends and families getting together at that time of year, buyers often bring parents, siblings or close friends to an open house. Getting positive input about a home from such “trusted advisers” can help close the sale. The challenge during the holidays can be drawing people to an open house when the weather is less than ideal. One way to do that is by making the event as enticing as possible, contends Starr Zook of Re/Max On Track in Aledo. She starts by holding holiday open houses at her most appealing listings and backs that up by serving refreshments and even offering a giveaway or drawing for something like a prepaid gas card. Once visitors arrive, it doesn’t hurt to capitalize on the holiday spirit, suggests Mike Kravitz of Re/Max Signature in Chicago. “With the owners’ cooperation, you want Christmas trees up and a wreath on the door – make sure that it’s warm and

cozy. Add scented candles to make the home smell good, and maybe bake a pumpkin pie. Even if the property is empty, do the same thing, at least at the front entrance,” he advised. “Food makes them stay longer, and that allows the home to make a deeper impression.” As much as they generally approve of the idea of open houses during the Thanksgiving-Christmas period, the agents did point out that not every day during that period is equally appropriate for such an event. Yakutis carefully schedules her open houses to avoid conflicts with Chicago Bears games. Kravitz usually stops holding open houses between Dec. 20 and early February because house hunters are few during that six-week period. In contrast, Zook reports that activity in her market around the Quad Cities tends to pick up noticeably in midJanuary, and she resumes holding open houses at that time. When it comes to holiday open houses, it’s important for both the agent and homeowner to be flexible, advises Yakutis. “If I have a seller who really wants to get something done over the holidays, I’ll test the market and try an open house,” she said. “On the other hand, if I have a young family with kids who just wants to be free and easy, I’ll tell them to pull back and wait until after the holidays for an open house – eliminate the stress. But my bottom line is that I’m flexible. I look at the market, and if there are buyers out there, then an open house can be a great idea even during the holidays.” The Re/Max Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated Re/Max offices.

AP file

In this Oct. 12 photo, a construction worker finishes a roof in Chicago. U.S. sales of new homes fell slightly in October and the September sales pace was slower than initially thought. homes and apartments. The median price of a new home sold in October was $237,700. That’s down 4.2 percent from September but 5.7 percent higher than October 2011.

The supply of homes for sale inched up to 147,000, slightly above the lowest level on records dating back to 1967. The thin supply of homes

for sale has helped drive this year’s housing rebound. The market has finally started to shed the excess number of homes built during the housing boom.

BUSINESS

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • Page D5

RV industry’s recovery gains speed By BRUCE SCHREINER The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The RV industry’s recovery from the Great Recession has picked up speed. Recreational vehicle makers are churning out higher numbers of travel trailers bound for dealers’ lots and, ultimately, campgrounds. Overall shipments from manufacturers to dealers – a key measure of consumer demand – are expected to rise 10 percent in 2012 and could gain another 4.5 percent next year, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association said Tuesday. Through September, shipments were up nearly 11 percent from the same period last year, the group said. The higher-than-expected number had dealers, manufacturers and suppliers feeling more optimistic as they gathered this week for an annual industry trade show. “We made up a lot of ground this year,” said Jeffrey Pastore, owner of Hartville RV Center in northeastern Ohio. “We’re seeing a lot more buyers walking in the door, and we’re seeing those buyers with more money in hand.” Sales at his dealership are up about 18 percent so far this year, and he’s predicting another 15 percent gain in 2013. It’s a big turnaround from 2009, when sales plunged 40 percent amid the country’s worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. “It was dreadful,” said Tom Stinnett, an RV dealer in southern Indiana. “There were a lot of us wondering if we were going to make it.” Shipments to dealers slumped to 165,700 units in

Trend for new units At General RV Center in Huntley, operations manager Keith Lessner said sales are up over 2011. “There’s been huge growth from last year,” Lessner said of the dealership, which has been open a year and a half. He said a trend has been new units over used units. “You’re getting a lot more for your money with a new unit,” Lessner said. “A 26-foot Prime Time Avenger bunk-bed unit sold for $13,000 10 years ago,” he said. “It still sells for $13,000, and you’re getting better construction, technology, better everything.” He said low interest rates have contributed to the popularity of new units. “People are tired of being told not to spend money and starting to enjoy themselves,” Lessner said.

– Northwest Herald 2009 from 353,400 in 2007. Weak demand and evaporated credit left dealer lots clogged with RVs and forced the industry to lay off tens of thousands of workers. This year’s shipments are expected to be better — hitting 277,300. Jobs are coming back, too. The industry’s workforce has risen to 375,000 from less than 250,000 in 2008, according to RVIA. It’s still below the 530,000 from 2007. Driving the industry’s gradual comeback have been less-expensive towable RVs attached to pickups or hitched to other vehicles. Towables, which now account for about 90 percent of the new RV market, cost between $8,000 and $100,000, with an average price of $32,000, ac-

AP file

Attendees look at the all-electric E-Tahoe by MPV at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s 2011 trade show in Louisville, Ky. cording to RVIA. Before the recession hit, towables represented eight out of every 10 new RVs shipped. By contrast, stand-alone motor homes range in price from $55,000 to $1.5 million for top-of-the-line, bus-like vehicles. The average price is $100,000 for the amenity-filled moving homes. “It’s a given that consumers love to do this, or there would be no market at all because they don’t have to have it,” Stinnett said. “But they’re simply not willing to commit as much money.” KZ RV, based in Shipsh-

ewana, Ind., has regained about three-fourths of its prerecessionary business, but the manufacturer has seen the shift in consumer demand toward towables. Its most popular products cost between $10,000 and $35,000 — well off its top-of-the-line RVs, which run about $90,000, said Andy Baer, the company’s vice president of sales. “Seven years ago they didn’t give a thought to buying a top-of-the-line product, kind of similar to the housing industry,” Baer said. “People are more in tuned with what the reality is that they can

comfortably afford today.” Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Thetford Corp., which supplies toilets and sinks to RV makers, saw its business plunge by 70 percent during the recession. It survived the downturn because RV owners upgraded existing models, said Executive Vice President Kevin Phillips. Now, the company is having a good year as existing RV owners purchase upgrades and entry-level buyers enter the market, he said. Winnebago Industries Inc., best known for its premium products, also has adjusted to

Disney, Sears used factory where 112 died By JULHAS ALAM The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh – Amid the ash, broken glass and melted sewing machines at what is left of the Tazreen Fashions Ltd. factory, there are piles of blue, red and offwhite children’s shorts bearing Wal-Mart’s Faded Glory brand. Shorts from hip-hop star Sean Combs’ ENYCE label lay on the floor, along with a hooded Mickey Mouse sweatshirt from Disney. An Associated Press reporter searching the Bangladesh factory Wednesday found these and other clothes, including sweaters from the French company Teddy Smith and the Scottish company Edinburgh Woollen Mill, among the equipment charred in the fire that killed 112 workers on Saturday. He also found entries in account books indicating that the factory took orders to produce clothes for Disney, Sears and other Western brands. Garments and documents left behind in the factory show it was used by a host of major American and European retailers, though at least one of them — Wal-Mart — had been aware of safety problems. Wal-Mart blames a supplier for using Tazreen Fashions without its knowledge. The fire has elevated awareness of something labor groups, retailers and governments have known for years: Bangladesh’s fastgrowing garment industry – second only to China’s in exports – is rife with dangerous workplaces. More than 300 workers there have died in fires since 2006. Police on Wednesday arrested three factory officials suspected of locking in the workers who died in Saturday’s fire, the deadliest in the South Asian country’s less

than 35-year history of exporting clothing. Local police chief Habibur Rahman said the three will be questioned amid reports that many workers trying to escape the blaze had been locked inside. He said the owner of the factory was not among those arrested. The three officials were arrested Wednesday at their homes in Savar, the Dhaka suburb where the factory is located. Rahman did not identify the officials or give their job status. About 1,400 workers worked at the plant, some 70 percent of them women. Most are from the north, the poorest region of Bangladesh. Workers who survived the fire say exit doors were locked, and a fire official has said that far fewer people would have died if there had been even one emergency exit. Of the dead, 53 bodies were burned so badly they could not be identified; they were buried anonymously. The fire started on the ground floor, where a factory worker named Nasima said stacks of yarn and clothes blocked part of the stairway. Nasima, who uses only one name, and other workers said that when they tried to flee, managers told them to go back to their work stations, but they were ignored. Dense smoke filled the stairway, making it hard to see, and when the lights went out the workers were left in total darkness. Another worker, Mohammad Rajib, said some people used their cellphones to light their way. “Everyone was screaming for help,” Nasima said. “Total chaos, panic and screaming. Everyone was trying to escape and come out. I was pulling the shirt of a man. I fainted and when I woke up I found myself lying on the road outside the factory.”

the new market. The company, headquartered in Forest City, Iowa, is rolling out towable products again after a decades-long absence from that market. And Winnebago has stepped up its presence in the market for entry-level motor homes priced in the $60,000 to $70,000 range. Those vehicles offer fewer features and amenities than their pricier counterparts. “That’s where we see a lot of the movement in the industry,” said Scott Degnan, the company’s vice president of sales.

8IN BRIEF Costco plans special dividend of $7 per share

File photo

In this April 21, 2010, file image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon.

BP suspended from new fed contracts The Associated Press WASHINGTON –The Obama administration put a temporary stop to new federal contracts with British oil company BP on Wednesday, citing the company’s “lack of business integrity” and criminal proceedings stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010. The action by the Environmental Protection Administration bars BP and its affiliates from new government contracts for an indefinite period, but won’t affect existing contracts. In a further blow to the company, BP will be disqualified from winning new leases to drill for oil or gas on taxpayer-owned land until the suspension is lifted. The federal government planned a sale Wednesday of more than 20 million acres of offshore land in the Gulf of Mexico. BP won’t be eligible for that sale, the Interior Department said. An EPA official said BP was not informed about the suspension until Wednesday morning. In London, BP said it had no immediate comment on the decision or its federal con-

tracts, but expected to make a statement later Wednesday. In the past, BP has been a major supplier of energy to the U.S. military, and has also provided fuel products and drilling services for other U.S. agencies such as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The EPA said the suspension was standard practice when a criminal case raises responsibility questions about a company. The suspension came the same day two BP rig supervisors and a former executive were scheduled to be arraigned on criminal charges stemming from the deadly explosion and the company’s response to the resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “EPA is taking this action due to BP’s lack of business integrity as demonstrated by the company’s conduct with regard to the Deepwater Horizon blowout, explosion, oil spill, and response,” the agency said in a statement. BP announced earlier in November that it will plead guilty to manslaughter, obstruction of Congress and other charges and will pay a record $4.5 billion in penalties to resolve a Justice Department

investigation of the disaster. Attorneys and a federal judge will meet in December to discuss a plea date. “When someone recklessly crashes a car, their license and keys are taken away,” said Rep. Ed Markey, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee and a frequent critic of BP. “The wreckage of BP’s recklessness is still sitting at the bottom of the ocean,” the Massachusetts Democrat said, “and this kind of time out is an appropriate element of the suite of criminal, civil and economic punishments that BP should pay for their disaster.” When it agreed to the plea deal, BP said it hadn’t been advised that any federal agency intended to suspend it. However, an EPA official said Wednesday that the plea agreement includes a provision for how BP can satisfy the concerns that stand in the way of the suspension being lifted. That order, if the court accepts it during sentencing, would give BP 60 days to address the conditions that led to violations. If the government approves the plan, it becomes part of BP’s criminal probation.

Costco plans a special dividend of $7 per share next month in addition to the regular quarterly dividend the wholesale club operator pays shareholders. The Issaquah, Wash., company said Wednesday that the special dividend will be payable Dec. 18 to shareholders of record Dec. 10. Costco Wholesale Corp.’s regular quarterly dividend of 27.5 cents per share will be paid Nov. 30 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 16. Costco also said Wednesday that its November revenue climbed nearly 9 percent to $8.15 billion. Revenue from stores open at least a year rose 6 percent. The increase was 5 percent excluding gains from gasoline price inflation and stronger foreign currencies. Revenue from stores open at least a year is a key gauge of a retailer’s health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed.

Nokia sues RIM for breach of contract HELSINKI – Nokia Corp. is suing Research In Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry, for breach of contract in Britain, the United States and Canada over cellular patents the two companies agreed on nine years ago. The struggling Finnish cellphone maker said Wednesday that it agreed with RIM in 2003 on a “cross-license for standards-essential cellular patents,” amended in 2008. RIM has since claimed the license should also have covered patents for non-essential parts and it filed arbitration proceedings with the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in March 2011. Earlier this month, the Arbitration Institute of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce ruled against RIM’s claims.

– From press services

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • Section F

Builder’s kingdom encompasses multiple subdivisions Jerry Kuyper

ELGIN - Business is booming for Pete Stefani, president and founder of King’s Court Builders. Sales are in the double digits this year, and, in 2013, he projects building 25 custom houses in Chicago’s suburbs. Seven of his recent sales are in Highland Woods, which is divided into two neighborhoods, the Waterford and the Reserve. Six customers opted to have Stefani build them a house in the

Waterford section, and one chose him for a larger design in the Reserve. His housing in the Waterford section begins at $297,000 and includes the 80-by-125-foot lot. Stefani’s custom designs in the Reserve section are priced from $383,000 including a 95-by-140 -foot lot. Besides the seven that are going to contract, Stefani has 64 additional lots on which to build in Highland Woods. He also is active in Plainfield’s Lakeside of Grande Park subdivision and three more in Naperville. They are Ashwood Creek, Ashwood Creek South and

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See BUILDER, page F2

Photo provided

A two-story custom house built by Pete Stefani’s King’s Court Builders in Elgin’s Highland Woods subdivision is open for viewing Thursdays through Sundays.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS ALGONQUIN

Open House Saturday 12/1-11am-1pm

Paddocks. “People have been sitting on the sidelines for a long, long time and, although some of my clients were hurt in the downturn (2008 collapse of housing market), most are doing well enough today to move forward and they can afford to build a new house,” Stefani said. “The market is starting to improve. My buyers are primarily those that are moving up to larger houses, and the prices for those buyers go from $325,000 up to $475,000 for 2,800 to 3,600 square feet of living space.”

$100,000, 2039 Teton Pkwy, Algonquin 60102-5427, 19-35454-016, Tcf National Bank To Jorge Luis Ramirez Patino, September 28 $103,000, 2294 Dawson Ln, Algonquin 60102-5977, 19-32-128-049, Fannie Mae To Louis A Stickling, September 27 $155,000, 433 S River Rd, Algonquin 60102-2842, 19-34-181-006, Fannie Mae To Ralph Grant Jr, September 28 $174,189, 1073 Saint Andrews Ct, Algonquin 60102-4135, 19-32427-111, Judicial Sales Corp To Hud, September 28 $189,000, 215 Lake Dr S, Algonquin 60102-1738, 19-29-402-010, Barbara Leipold To Partha Sarathi Majumder & Ruma Majumder, September 27 $190,000, 940 Glacier Pkwy, Algonquin 60102-5012, 1935-254-028, Sandra Lynn Costello To Kyounghwa Kim, September 28 $240,000, 935 Zange Dr, Algonquin 60102-2038, 19-33-326-011, Roger J Quinlan To Christopher M Wodziak & Constance L Wodziak, September 25

BARRINGTON

$770,000, 301 Ridge Rd, Barrington 60010-2331, 20-29-200-018, Arlene R Baumgart To Daniel Nass & Jennie Nass, September 28

BULL VALLEY

$400,000, 315 S Valley Hill Rd, Bull Valley 60098-7882, 13-01-100-027, Chicago Title Land Trt Co Ttee To Thomas Mileski & Tiffany Mileski, September 26

CARY

$85,000, 512 New Haven Dr, Cary 60013-1806, 19-11-304-015, Anthony J Mele Jr To Heather C Queen, September 28 $100,000, 467 Cary Woods Cir, Cary 60013-2059, 20-18-355-007, Deutsche Bank Trt America Ttee To Joseph M Sawicki & Lindsay Turner, September 25 $115,000, 478 New Haven Dr, Cary 60013-1811, 19-11-304-021, Federal National Mortgage Assn To Areli Serrano, September 25 $180,000, 819 Burr Oak Cir, Cary 60013-1662, 20-07-404-005, Dennis T Daley To Fengi Li, October 1 $224,000, 70 Decker Dr, Cary 60013-2284, 20-18-204-005, Jeff

Kraeger To Brian B Bateman & Tracy L Batman, September 25 $375,000, 7103 Swallow Way, Cary 60013-6049, 20-07-203-013, Nathan C Claridy To Ignatz Rauscher & Margaret Rauscher, October 1

CRYSTAL LAKE

$83,000, 667 Elsinoor Ln, Crystal Lake 60014-7517, 19-08-129-014, Deutsche Bank Natl Trt Co Ttee To Fano Theofanous, September 27 $87,000, 512 Windham Cove Dr, Crystal Lake 60014-2739, 19-18-280004, Cindy Hopper To Daniel Odonnell & Diane Odonnell, September 25 $93,000, 687 Coventry Ln, Crystal Lake 60014-7540, 19-08-151-007, Christopher Miller To Shannon Baker & Shannon T Baker, September 26 $103,500, 485 Linn Ave, Crystal Lake 60014-7141, 19-05-353-009, Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp To Brendan W Silker, September 25 $120,000, 1204 Walnut Glen Dr 10C, Crystal Lake 60014-6843, 1812-182-039, Home State Bank Na To Tyler S Barth, September 28 $145,000, 412 Charlotte Ave, Crystal Lake 60014-5139, 18-01-351-002, Roy Y Nelson To Patricia L Vanderheyden, September 28

$179,000, 671 Broadway Ave, Crystal Lake 60014-5601, 19-06-379-001, Linda S Mindock To Sally Munn, September 28 $217,000, 270 College St, Crystal Lake 60014-6039, 19-05-177-032, James A Neff To Kari A Gavle, September 28 $245,000, 1133 Autumn Dr, Crystal Lake 60014-1612, 18-12-177-009, Matthew Lee Deguzman Perkins To Matthew Joseph Hillyer & Sarah Ann Hillyer, September 25 $248,000, 1253 Sandalwood Ln, Crystal Lake 60014-1637, 18-13276-013, Karl T Krogstad To Steven Hannagan & Donna Hannagan, September 28 $290,000, 1155 Lakeview Ave, Crystal Lake 60014-6989, 18-12202-002, William J Jones To Donald J Lewis, September 28 $360,000, 3675 Tamarack Cir, Crystal Lake 60012-2137, 14-26305-010, William Francis Norton To Pamela Domanski, September 28 $425,000, 347 W Woodstock St, Crystal Lake 60014-4231, 14-32-351010, Chicago Title Land Trt Co Ttee To Jon Jason Holt, October 1 Continued on page F2

130 Dole Avenue, Crystal Lake • 3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • New Kitchen and Baths • Hardwood Floors • Walkout Basement • Large Fenced in Yard Freshly remodeled, new, new, new inside and out! Cedar privacy fence in the huge back yard, lower level entrance, concrete veranda, mature trees. Inside is to die for! New kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, undermount lighting, can lighting, ceramic tile. Baths newly redone with heated floors! Family room with fireplace, new windows, solid wood six panel doors & trim! New 90+ furnace and hot water heater, A/C. Second family room, much more!

Offered at $189,000

199 Midway Court, Crystal Lake • 4 Bedrooms • 3 Car Garage • 2,800 Sq. Ft. Custom Built • Luxurious Master Suite • Whirlpool Tub/Sep. Shower • Brick Paver Patio Great home in North Crystal Lake! Excellent original owners. Closing flexible as the sellers are building new. High end stainless/granite kitchen, custom cabinetry, luxury rollouts! Walk in pantry, separate dining, luxury kitchen open to family room with fireplace! Huge master suite with private bath, double vanity, separate shower/whirlpool tub, 3 car garage,. Great stained custom wood interior! Treat yourself!

Offered at $319,000

Thank You

Happy Holidays! The future is certainly looking better. It’s your move, call me!

AS GOOD AS A LUXURY HOME GETS

1305 Cougar Trail, Cary. 4 bedrooms. 3 Full Baths, plus 2 half baths. Spacious FIRST-FLOOR Master Bedroom. Formal living & dining rooms. Den. Centerisland kitchen, maple cabinets, granite counters, stainless-steel appliances. Hardwood floors. 18ft-ceiling family room, wet bar & stone fireplace.

Offered by:

John Reinert

3,863 sq ft, plus a full-finished basement w/ recreation & theater rooms, & 2nd fireplace. Freshly painted interior, new carpeting. Two huge walk-in floored attic spaces or bonus rooms for extra square footage. Finished & heated 3-car garage. Professional landscaping. Meticulously maintained. $424,900. See: www.1305CougarTrail.com

Tom Zarnek Managing Broker

815-759-6750

For voting Reinert Builders one of the best home builders in McHenry County

EQU L HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Unlimited Northwest

lgonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Lake Zurich & Palatine

office: 815-479-6182 cell direct: 815-382-0384 www.reinert4homes.com

Thinking about marketing your home, consider an agent that advertises.

reAl eSTATe

Page F2 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

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“Five of them are four-bedroom, two stories, one of them is a three-bedroom ranch, and another is a design with a first-floor master suite on the main living level and three more bedrooms on the second floor,” he added. A model is open daily at 443 Winged Elm in Highland Woods. The subdivision is about three miles west of Randall Road off Route 20. Follow Route 20 to Coombs Road to Highland Woods Boulevard to the model. For information, call (224) 856-5056. The two-story, 3,350-square-foot model has a full basement (lookout), attached three-car, front-load garage (dry walled, taped and painted), four bedrooms, three baths, a porch stretching across the front and a deck. The kitchen includes a separate breakfast area, upper and lower hardwood cabinets, stainless steel appliances (General Electric Cafe), built-in microwave, hooded range and three-quarter-inch, tongue and groove hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring dominates most of the main living level with the exception of a bathroom and an eight-by-15-foot tiled laundry room. “We have hardwood in the foyer, kitchen, sunroom and the main (downstairs) floors,” Stefani

Continued from page F1

HARVARD

$75,000, 917 Joanne Ln, Harvard 60033-7831, 06-05-152-007, Robert A Diets To Arnulfo Esquivel, September 28 $107,500, 413 Galvin Pkwy, Harvard 60033-3248, 01-36-328-001, Rebeca S Sanchez To Cesar D Flores, September 28

HUNTLEY

$86,000, 13588 Delaney Rd, Huntley 60142-6335, 08-31-405-032, Alpha M Bondy Estate To William J Peck, September 25 $110,000, 13512 Bonaire Rd, Huntley 60142-6338, 18-31-406-013, Perlowski Trust To Molloy Trust, September 28 $115,000, 11801 E Main St, Huntley 60142-6967, 18-33-126-002, National Loan Investors Lp To Huntley Village (il), September 25 $175,000, 11957 Stonewater Xing, Huntley 60142-7585, 18-32-379-004, Flynn Trust To George Luebke & Kathleen Luebke, October 1 $238,500, 11173 Victoria Ln, Huntley 60142-2451, 18-21-281-008, Drh Cambridge Homes Inc To Christopher Santomarco & Melissa L Santomarco, September 28 $248,500, 9531 Farley Dr, Huntley 60142-6003, 18-21-178-005, Ryland Group Inc To Levis B Mcghee & Melissa E Mcghee, September 28 $258,000, 9575 Cummings St, Huntley 60142-6025, 18-21-157-009, Ryland

indicated. Carpeting, except for bathroom tile, prevails on the second floor. Living and dining rooms flank the two-story foyer which leads to a family room with fireplace and a library. “Also, the model has a sunroom with a door leading to the (rear) deck,” Stefani said. The second floor has the four bedrooms and two bathrooms. “A private bedroom (suite) with a trey ceiling has its own bathroom with tub and oversized shower plus a large walk-in closet,” Stefani said. Bathrooms are tiled with granite added in the master bath and downstairs powder room. “And we have soft craftsman trim throughout the house,” Stefani said. “This means the trim is more linear and flat as opposed to the detailed molding you see in a lot of houses. It is a clean and fairly obvious look. For example, the stairway newel posts are more square than rounded and, from floor to ceiling, you will see that type of trim. The interior has a distinct craftsman appearance.” For more on the Craftsman style, search for Gustav Stickley at www.ragtime.org or visit www. archtecturaldesign.com, www. houz.com. Standard height is nine feet on the first floor, eight feet upstairs and eight-feet, 10 inches for the basement.

“On the exterior, we have a partial stone front with fiber cement and some shake siding. Horizontal fiber cement siding (looks like wood) is on the sides and at the rear. We have architectural asphalt shingles for the roof,” he said. The model sits on a 13,000square-foot corner lot in the Reserve neighborhood and is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). “If we were to put it on the market right now, which we have no plans to do, it would be priced at $499,000,” Stefani said. Each of Stefani’s custom houses is protected by a two-year warranty covering workmanship and materials. “We started offering the two-year warranty in the early 1990s and we were the first to do so in the custom home market,” he said. “The decision to do so was easy. I was taking care of our customers anyway, so I just put it into the contracts,” he noted. With that warranty, he has to be careful with his subcontractors. The ones he hires have been with him for years if not decades. “We pick good subs and they know they have to do good work. They pick the products so they are extra careful to choose the best. For example, my heating contractor buys a better grade of furnace that will endure and last longer. He

knows that if he puts in a cheaper grade and it fails, he will have to cover the terms of the warranty,” he said. “We have customers who want us to come back and take care of some problem or other and we do that. Our subs know they can be called back at any time and they are happy to do it.” Stefani has a customer representative branch of his company. The email address is customerservice@kingscourtbuilders.com. Stefani is not shy when it comes to his company. “When people ask, ‘Do you build better than others down the street ?’ we say ‘Yes we do’ and we tell them we enjoy servicing them too,” he said. “We pride ourselves on being available before, during and after your home is complete.” Stefani, 49, began working for a Chicago-area builder when a junior in high school. His initial responsibilities were sweeping out construction debris and running errands. He learned quickly the ins and outs of general contracting from the trades in the new housing industry. This learning curve convinced him he wanted to build houses as a career, but college came first. In 1986, he graduated from Benedictine University with a bachelor’s degree in business. While at Benedictine, the name of his company was born. “I was a business major and was writing

a paper in one of my courses on what kind of company I wanted. Well, I had to have a name for the company and I came up with King’s Court Builders. I am the king and the court are my subcontractors and we are building houses for people.” In 1986, with a business degree and a company name, he began building houses. “I had a wealth of knowledge on how homes should be built and what made homeowners happy. My reputation is dependent on every single home that I build. I take that very seriously.” Building a new house can be a complicated process. “It relies on the work of others,” he said. “What I enjoy most is the coordination and cooperation of our trades partners and staff to make the process as smooth as possible for our home buyers. “I believe learning from the ground up was important. My early experience has paid off tremendously. I have incorporated a lot of what I learned from the tradesman and, with the quality, value and service of our company, I am proud to have my name behind King’s Court Builders. For information, write Pete Stefani, King’s Court Builders, Post Office Box 5070, Naperville 60567, call 630-369-4150, visit www. kingscourtbuilders.com or email pete@kingscourtbuilders.com.

Group Inc To Joel L Mcginnis & Dawn C Mcginnis, September 28 $259,000, 11222 Victoria Ln, Huntley 60142-2450, 18-21-280-042, Srh Cambridge Homes Inc To Dina J Cece & Daniel Cece, September 28 $300,000, 12270 Glazier St, Huntley 60142-6068, 18-20-478-016, Ryland Group Inc To Christopher C Brittain & Amy L Brittain, September 28 $304,000, 12282 Donahue Dr, Huntley 60142-6009, 18-20-228-018, Phillip C Beaydoin To Adam S Gurchiek & Gina L Gurchiek, September 27

The Hills 60156-1411, 19-28-157-004, Darrell Overbey To Christopher E Bickford & Edwin F Bickford, September 25 $129,000, 1000 Viewpoint Dr, Lake In The Hills 60156-4912, 19-28-252-087, Jamie S Thrasher To Eric See, September 25 $171,000, 314 Starwood Pass, Lake In The Hills 60156-4878, 19-19-404004, Carin M Gurgone To Matthew J Schramer, September 28 $215,000, 12 Heron Ct, Lake In The Hills 60156-1060, 18-23-401-011, Jason M Henning To Daniel F Pohorny & Melissa J Pokorny, October 1 $218,000, 4761 Highwood Ln, Lake In The Hills 60156-6348, 18-14-328-010, Daniel J Fulton To Eugene Peterson Jr & Patricia Peterson, October 1 $445,000, 4855 Coyote Lakes Cir, Lake In The Hills 60156-6512, 18-25177-026, Chicago Title Land Trt Co Ttee To Jeffrey L Kolberg & Loretta W Kolberg, September 28

Monika Cannell, September 25 $91,000, 2304 Country Ln, Mchenry 60051-4747, 09-25-477-018, Youman Trust To Paul S Wroblewski, September 28 $95,000, 4907 Home Ave, Mchenry 60050-3511, 09-27-156-005, Sdl Investmnets Llc To Jackie Palmer, September 27 $100,000, 1003 Hilltop Blvd, Mchenry 60050-8205, 14-02-455-017, John S Clemens To Kacey F Culver & Eric Nystrom, September 28 $123,500, 5311 Glenbrook Trl, Mchenry 60050-2710, 14-04-231-025, Timothy R Wilkin To Margaret Klingenberg, October 1 $136,000, 5008 W Glenbrook Trl, Mchenry 60050-5451, 14-04-230-015, William T Holian To Thr Property Illinois Llc, October 1 $175,000, 1225 N Green St, Mchenry 60050-4341, 09-26-454-013, Martin Marks To Kriti Sukniyom & Siriphote Kaewnopparat, September 26 $181,500, 2902 Payton Xing, Mchenry 60051-4105, 09-23-202034, Mb898 Llc To Sylvia J Foster, September 25 $350,000, 800 S Riverside Dr, Mchenry 60050-3176, 14-01-310-013, Michael W Tye To Normann Trust, September 28

WONDER LAKE

JOHNSBURG

$265,000, 3414 Prairie Trl, Johnsburg 60051-5117, 09-14-252-017, James A Rial To George Bucur & Jeannine Bucur, October 1

LAKE IN THE HILLS

$66,000, 1501 Washington St, Lake In The Hills 60156-1043, 19-20-101-025, Hud To Argimiro Quezada, September 28 $70,000, 313 Pocahontas Trl, Lake In The Hills 60156-1431, 19-28-104-006, Mark Jones To Robert Kaenike & Jesica Kaenike, September 27 $76,000, 147 Northlight Passe, Lake In The Hills 60156-4950, 19-19-427020, Federal National Mortgage Assn To Adam Tekien, September 25 $85,000, 412 Plum St, Lake In The Hills 60156-3331, 19-20-427-001, William C Kreger To Corine Reed, October 1 $125,000, 524 Blackhawk Dr, Lake In

MARENGO

$100,000, 931 Cottonwood Ln, Marengo 60152-3616, 11-25-451-019, Deutsche Bank Natl Trt Co Ttee To Aart Gilissen & Persis Gilissen, September 26

McHENRY

$59,000, 5005 Prairie Ave, Mchenry 60050-3505, 09-27-106-007, Amber Clairy To Michael J Thiel, September 28 $90,000, 2006 W Indian Ridge Dr, Mchenry 60051-6144, 10-07-302023, Leary Trust To Charles Cannell &

RICHMOND

$227,000, 10733 Mallard Ln, Richmond 60071-9260, 04-09-277-001, Sunset Ridge Estates Llc To Wendy B Peiler, September 27

$189,000, 4013 Crabapple Ln, Wonder Lake 60097-8162, 08-14-201-001, Richard S Wright To Steven Berndt & Kathryn M Berndt, September 28 $290,000, 3307 E Lake Shore Dr, Wonder Lake 60097-8511, 09-18-351003, James A Nadeau To James A Denna & Melissa L Ruiz Denna, September 28

WOODSTOCK

$73,000, 803 Wicker St, Woodstock 60098-2348, 13-06-231-018, Chicago Title Land Trt Co Ttee To Jo Ann Emerick, September 26 $80,000, 1704 Walnut Dr, Woodstock 60098-2564, 08-32-329-002, Ginmeg Llc To Antonio Romero, September 28 $90,000, 132 W Willow Ave, Woodstock 60098-2572, 08-32-328-019, Wmsy Properties Llc 132 W Will To Roberto Rodriguez Parades, October 1 $160,000, 510 W Jackson St, Woodstock 60098-3109, 13-06-477-021, Michael T Bradford To Gregg R Stade & Sandra A Stade, September 28 $175,000, 1400 Savanna Ln, Woodstock 60098-3674, 13-08-455-017, Peggy A Rummel To Joaquin Zarate, September 28 $267,000, 16401 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock 60098-9021, 12-03-400-008, David A Kost I To Michael Szydlo & Samantha Cook, September 25 $350,000, 408 S Shannon Dr, Woodstock 60098-9474, 12-01-102-010, Michael W Luecht To Ml Capital Ventures Llc, September 25

Page B2 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

LOCAL&REGION

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

LAKE IN THE HILLS: DISTRICT 158 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

EAST DUNDEE: DECEMBER EVENTS

Santa events to benefit programs Dundee library NORTHWEST HERALD LAKE IN THE HILLS – The District 158 Education Foundation’s annual Santa’s Fireside Feast and Breakfast with Santa events will be Friday and Saturday at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road. Proceeds from the events will benefit the Education Foundation’s programs. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, families are invited to join Santa and Mrs. Claus for dinner. Two buffet bars will be

set up with pasta, a variety of sauces and more. A green garden salad, breadsticks, beverages and Mrs. Claus’ special dessert cookies will be served table-side. The District 158 Faculty Jazz Band will perform holiday music throughout the evening as children visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, Frosty the Snowman and a few surprise characters. Children also will receive a goodie bag to take home. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 2 to

12 (children younger than age 2 are free) and can be bought by visiting the Education Foundation webpage at district158. org/education-foundation. Can’t make it for dinner? Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for breakfast Saturday. Two sessions are available: 8 to 9:30 a.m. or 10 to 11:30 a.m. Santa’s elves will serve pancakes and French toast sticks, sausage, a variety of fruits, milk, juice and more. After breakfast, children can visit with Santa, make a craft, play holiday games

BARRINGTON: ADVOCATE GOOD SHEPHERD

8LOCAL BRIEFS

Hospital, literacy group to host event with Santa Claus

Algonquin library to join Holiday Rock on the Fox

NORTHWEST HERALD

BARRINGTON – Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is partnering with A to Z Literacy Movement to provide children’s books to local schools. To get a picture taken with Santa, bring a new or gently used book to a special event, which will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Route 22, Barrington. Santa will arrive via a Barrington firetruck at 6:15 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., a local firefighter will read “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The event also will feature refreshments and holiday music. A to Z Literacy Movement partners with other nonprofit organizations to provide children books, teacher professional development, assistance with teacher salaries and school lunches.

For information For information about A to Z Literacy Movement, contact Mal Keenan at 815-382-5695 or email ormal@atozliteracy.org. The group accepts new or gently used children’s books to stock shelves at focus schools and orphanages. The group believes in promoting the love of literacy by enriching children’s lives with literature early in their schooling. A to Z Literacy Movement has shipped more than 8,000 books to children in Zambia, Africa. It also has sent books to Peace Corps volunteers getting schools up and running in Africa and Dominican Republic. For information about A to Z Literacy Movement, contact Mal Keenan at 815382-5695 or email ormal@atozliteracy.org.

ALGONQUIN – The Algonquin Area Public Library District will be at Riverfront Park in Algonquin for Saturday’s Holiday Rock on the Fox from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Those who stop by the park at 201 N. Harrison St. can hear holiday stories at 5 p.m. They’ll be told by librarians Alexa (Jingle the Elf) and Virginia (Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer), who also will give each child visitor a book. No library registration is required to attend. Admission is free. There also will be other activities, including a community tree lighting, candy cane hunt, Santa and holiday music. Donation bins will be available for nonperishable food and new, unwrapped toys.

Dundee historical society sets open house

WEST DUNDEE – The Dundee Township Historical Society will present its annual Christmas open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Centerville School in Randall Oaks Park.

and decorate a cookie to take home. Tickets are $7 a person (children 12 months and younger are free) and can be bought by visiting the Education Foundation webpage at district158.org/educationfoundation. Basket raffle tickets also will be available at both events for $2 each. The baskets, made by the staff of each school, will be raffled at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. Winners do not need to be present at the drawing.

Children of all ages are invited to visit with Santa, make an ornament and have cookies and cider. Cameras are welcome. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated. For information, call the museum at 847-428-6996.

Barbershop chorus to present holiday concert

ELGIN – The Fox Valley Men of Harmony barbershop chorus will present its annual holiday concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin. The chorus is under the direction of Doug Smith of Woodstock and assistant director Harry Swenson of South Barrington. Secular and religious numbers will be performed by The Clefhangers, The Fox Sounds, The Golden Chords, The Mood Makers and Who’s on Bass? Tickets are $10; children younger than age 5 attend for free. Tickets may be purchased from any chorus member or at the door.

– Northwest Herald

offers holiday season programs If you go

NORTHWEST HERALD EAST DUNDEE – The Dundee Library offers special events for all ages to help residents take a holiday season breather.

• Dickens in Dundee Holiday Classic Movie, 3 p.m. Saturday: The classic 1938 ver-

sion of “A Christmas Carol,” starring Reginald Owen as Ebenezer Scrooge, will be shown. No tickets or reservations required; audience capacity is 80 people. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. for free popcorn and refreshments. Children younger than age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Jacobs High School Madrigal Singers, 7 p.m. Wednesday: The courtly musicians

of Jacobs High School perform holiday madrigal music in full dress. Attendees will enjoy holiday classics and staples of the madrigal literature. Registration is recommended.

• ACT Practice Test, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15: Not exactly a

holiday tradition, but high school juniors might want to put their time off to good use during winter break with this free ACT practice test offered by Sylvan Learning Center. Gain valuable insight into what to expect on test day. Test takers will receive their results at a second session at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the library. Registration is required.

• Free holiday kids’ movie, “Arthur Christmas” (PG), 2 p.m. Dec. 22: On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa’s youngest son looks to use his father’s high-tech operation for an urgent mission.

n What: Dickens in Dundee

Holiday Classic Movie n When: Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Saturday; movie starts at 3 p.m. n Where: Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave. (Route 68) in East Dundee n Cost: Free

Animated. Starring James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent and Bill Nighy. No tickets or reservations are required; audience capacity is 80 people. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for free popcorn and refreshments. Children younger than age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. • Mitten Tree: Help keep folks warm this winter by donating new mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for the annual Mitten Tree. Donations will be collected through Dec. 20. The Mitten Tree is on the lower level in the Children’s Department. All items will be given to Carpentersville’s F.I.S.H. Food Pantry and the Elgin Crisis Center. The above programs are free and will be at the Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave. (Route 68) in East Dundee. Registration is recommended. To register, visit the “Events & Registration” page at www.frvpld.info, stop by the Information Services Desk or call 847-4283661, ext. 5876. Note: The Dundee Library and Randall Oaks Branch Library will be closed on the following dates in observance of upcoming holidays: Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

�� 1st Place ...........$25 Toys“R”Us Gift Card

�� 1st Place:..........$50 Toys“R”Us Gift Card

�� 1st Place ...........$75 Toys“R”Us Gift Card Runner-up ........$50 Toys“R”Us Gift Card

Name: ____________________________________

Age: _____________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________

City: _____________________________________