Around and About in West Chicago - 09 April 2008

     I always the like the first day of true spring like weather and this last weekend gave us two such days. People were busy working in their gardens and yards, riding bicycles, walking or just sitting and enjoying the warm rays of the sun.

     With the advent of warm weather, more bicyclers on the roads and motorists need to drive even more carefully in the residential areas. However, persons riding bicycles also have a responsibility to obey the Rules of the Road. Working in my yard Saturday, I saw a family of six coast through two Stop signs, never stopping.

     Some of the pleasures of neatening the yard after the LONG winter are people just stopping to chat and to listen to the happy sounds of children playing. Yet, the area is somewhat quiet as the sounds of lawnmowers and other outside equipment are still silent. The fingers itch to start digging and planting in the gardens, but common sense rules. This lull in the planting season gives us the opportunity to survey the area and to make more plans for the garden of our dreams. Help for all of this awaits during the city’s Blooming Fest Saturday, May 17, showcasing the Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale, plus a variety of crafters and vendors to add the special touch.

     As one walks through the neighborhood, you not only visit with friends, but also meet persons who are new to the area. Sunday, I became acquainted with one of the newer families, who, in turn, introduced me to another young couple, who are making West Chicago their home. “We love this town and are telling our friends to move here.” And that folks, sums up what Dave and I felt when we moved here in 1978, and continues with me today.

AROUND AND ABOUT

     Nancy Voss is the featured artist for the month of April at Gallery 200, 200 Main St. Her oil paintings have been on exhibit during Railroad Days and at Danada. One of her paintings is in the permanent collection at the Park District office. The artist’s reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 11. The City Museum, 132 Main St., now has Friday Late Nights, which coincide with the hours of the artist receptions at Gallery 200. A great way to make it even an even more sociable evening is to dine at one of the many restaurants in our community.

     District 33 kindergarten registration for children, who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Currier School, Wednesday, April 16 at Gary School, and Thursday, April 17, at Indian Knoll School.

     Wheaton Academy’s Evening of Classics is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the Fine Arts building, 900 Prince Crossing Road.

     Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a Luncheon and Silent Auction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Augustino’s in Carol Stream. The ticket price is $20. Some of the services WAYS provides are youth tutoring by certified teachers, counseling by professional, licensed therapists, parenting classes, management classes and computer classes for low-income families and senior citizens. To make reservations for the luncheon, call WAYS at (630) 231-7166.

     Swing, Latin and Jazz standards are just some of the styles of music to be heard with the performance of the Jim Guter Trio at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the library, 118 W. Washington St. Guter was the fine arts chair at the high school. Sponsors of the program are Friends of the West Chicago Public Library District. To make reservations call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, Ext. 4.

     The Historical Society hosts “America’s First Ladies” presented by “In Character: Jenny Riddle’s One Woman Shows” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Fox Community Center. Riddle is an accomplished storyteller, singer and speaker. She creates an intimate portrait of some well-known White House first ladies. Society program chairman Janis Probeck said, “The information is not what you have read in textbooks. She makes these women come alive. The show is fun for all ages.” The evening of entertainment is open to the public and there is no charge. Refreshments are served.

     The high school is holding a Job Fair for students from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday, April 14, through Friday, April 18, in the Commons. Human resource representatives from various area businesses discuss job openings and distribute job applications. The fair is sponsored by the school district Education to Careers grant and the West Chicago and Winfield Chambers.

     Winfield Township hosts a free informative program, “Aging with Dignity,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17 in Sebahar Hall at St. John the Baptist Church, 03233 Church St. in Winfield. The program involves a discussion of Hospice, options available regarding end-of-life care and Five Wishes. All focus on individuals ascertaining health care decisions to reflect their wishes. For further information, call the Township office at (630) 231-3591.

     The Wegner School Parent Teachers Organization is once again hosting its popular social and silent auction from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 18, at St. Andrews Country Club, 3N441 Route 59. The ticket price of $20 in advance and $25 at the door include hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets. The theme is Hawaiian Nights. Silent auction items include hotel overnight packages, golf outings, tickets to various sports events and class baskets made by the students. To order tickets call Laura Their at (630) 293-4854.

     The Ballet Magnificat! troupe performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18, in the Fine Arts Center at Wheaton Academy, 900 Prince Crossing Road. The company presents “The Hiding Place,” which is based on the autobiography of Corrie ten Boom. Kathy Thibodeaux, silver medalist at the II USA International Ballet Competition, formed the ballet company in 1986. Her quest was to pursue excellence in the arts and reclaim them for the church. The ticket price is $15 and may be ordered by calling (630) 562-7588.

     Heide Morris is holding a class from 10 a.m. to noon for making ceramic nesting dolls. The first class for the construction of the dolls is Saturday, April 19. The second class for glazing is Saturday, May 30. The class is for persons 10 years and over. The cost is $15. Sign up sheets are at the Gallery or to reserve a spot call the Gallery 200 at (630) 293-9550. Craft Saturday at the City Museum, 132 Main St., is at 1 p.m. April 19.

     As part of the History Channel’s “Save Our History” grant, the craft is coordinated with the theme of the month, World War II. Children make WW II recruitment posters using military slogans of the day. For more information, call the museum at (630) 231-3376.

     The Park District offers a fun way to celebrate Earth Day, which is April 22. Children ages 3 to 12, fill out a contest entry form and color a grocery bag with their concepts of how to save the planet of Earth. The decorated bags will be distributed at Jewel and handed to customers on Earth Day. Winners of each group receive a prize. Bags are available at the park district office, 157 W. Washington St., and must be returned by Friday, April 18.

     The Foundation for Educational Excellence for School District 33 is selling tickets for its $10,000 college scholarship. The sale ends Friday, April 25. The ticket price is $20 and only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Second prize is a $500 savings bond donated by DuPage National Bank. Tickets are available in the main office of all District 33 schools, the District office at 312 E. Forest Ave. and DuPage National Bank, 101 Main St. The drawing for the winning ticket takes place near the beginning of the District 33 Board of Education meeting Thursday, May 1. For further information, call Becky Koltz, District 33 Director of Community Relations at (630) 293-6000 Ext. 201 or e-mail at koltzb@wegod33.k12.il.us.

     The high school Art Club is selling flowers for Prom 2008, which takes place Friday, April 25. Boutonnieres are $7 and corsages are $10. The order form is on the school Web site at http://www.d94.org/enews/ArtClubPromFlowerOrderForm08.pdf.

     The high school team finished in first place in the 12th annual Illinois LifeSmarts Competition. Team members are team captain Paul Warkins, Ian Letts, Doug Sills, Kara Wolfe and Joann Kaczmarczyk. Consumer Education teacher Don Zabelin is the coach of the team. The team, representing Illinois, will participate in the National LifeSmarts Competition April 12 through 15 in Minneapolis. LifeSmarts, a program of the National Consumers League, tests high school students’ knowledge of financial management, technology, the environment, health and safety and consumer rights.

     Tim Schuda is the high school Student of the Month for February. He has played on the soccer team for 4 years, serving as varsity captain for two years, and earned Academic All-Conference honors. Schuda is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, plus is a Math Award recipient. After graduation, he plans to attend either Illinois State or Augustana University, majoring in secondary education.

     It is on the horizon! West Chicago Railroad Days is from Thursday, July 10, through Sunday, July 13, at Reed-Keppler Park. The parade theme is “The Sky is the Limit.” In addition to the parade information, applications and information for food vendors, not-for-profit organizations, sponsorships and exhibitors are on the chambers’s Web site www. westchicagochamber.com or call the chamber at (630) 231-3003

     Audax Group has completed the acquisition of Cortz Inc. d/b/a/ In the Swim, 320 Industrial Drive. In the Swim is a multi-channel direct marketer of swimming pool supplies and equipment to the residential and commercial swimming pool markets in the United States. Barry Pace, ITS Chief Executive Officer, will continue to lead the management team.

     DuPage Flight Center again has ranked as Chicagoland’s #1 Flight Base Operation in the annual FBO survey for North, Central and South America by “Aviation International News,” an industry trade publication.

     To view the dining specials and entertainment schedule at Tivoli Ristorante, visit the new Web site, http://thetivoliclub.com.

     Kramer Tree Specialists is participating in the GreenCare for Troops program. Project EverGreen, a not-for-profit organization, and participating green industry leaders sponsor the nationwide outreach program. The goal of the organization is to care for the lawns and landscapes of men and women “serving our country in the armed forces that are over seas.” As participants in this program, Kramer Tree Specialists are looking for five families in need of tree care, tree pruning, removal or cable bracing. Qualified persons needing this service may call Jan Kramer at (630) 293-5444.

     Progressive Athletics recently opened in Tower Stations, 956 N. Neltnor Blvd.

     Forty-eight Community High School students have been named Illinois State Scholars. They are Jonathon Abernethy, Madeline Albright , Girelle Alcocer, Matthew Andracki, Benjamin Barclay, Matthew Boltz, Mitchell Boyd, Elizabeth Buenrostro, Megan Carnes, Bonnie Coats, Brandon Farber, Anthony Fontana, Sara Fouts, Ellen Gebhardt, Cory Gierke, Kelsey Gossen, Lorena Hernandez, Jeffrey Hlinka, Kristen Johansen, Jessica Jones, Joann Kaczmarczyk, Heather Knoll, Krista Kraus, Smiriti Kurup, Ian Letts, John Malandruccolo, Alexandria Mills, James Miner and David Musick. Others students are Rachel Nash, Robyn Nickelson, Megan Peterson, Sarah Pierpoint, Kayla Radloff, Ryan Scheck, Nicholas Secker, Douglas Selby, Kellyn Siefert, Caraline Stenslik, Steven Szul, Amanda Vangarsse, Michael Wall, Paul Warkins, Timothy Weibler, Kristin Weltzin, Andrew Wirtz, Kara Wolfe and Matthew Youngwith. The State Scholar program recognizes Illinois high school students for outstanding academic achievement. These students rank in the top ten percent of the state’s high school graduating seniors.

     The new, fun nightspot in the community is Boogie Nights, 243 W. Roosevelt Road. The Retro discothèque is located in the former location of Synergy. Hours are from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday to Saturday.

My e-mail address is merleburl@earthlink.net.