FINAL-JT-SH-012611 by Bugle

INSIDE

Calendar Plan for the weekend, week ahead

Sports Three locals earn titles

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Our Village, Our News

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Catholic Schools Week 2011

Strategies moving diocese into future By Laura Katauskas Staff reporter As schools nationwide celebrate Catholic Schools Week, the Diocese of Joliet is celebrating a new strategy to move its schools forward, taking steps into unknown territory to not only survive but to thrive in a world that has changed vastly over time. Enrollment in Catholic schools has declined drastically over the years

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and now is at practically half of the student numbers of the 1970s. More lay teachers are needed as interest in vocations has dropped. The affects of a lagging economy have taken a toll on those able to afford tuition. Taking all those factors into consideration, it was time for the diocese to make a change. Beginning in 2008, under the leadership of See SCHOOLS, page 3

JANUARY 26, 2011

Vol. 3 No. 20

NEWS 2

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Troy TRAID to host CUB The Troy TRIAD committee invites all senior citizens residing in Troy Township to attend an informational program in Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 8. A representative from the Citizens Utility Board will share tips and advice on how to save money on your utility bills. The program will include a question

and answer session but individual bill analysis will not be available at this event. The program will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Troy Township Offices located at 25448 Seil Rd. in Shorewood. This program is free and open to the public. Questions

regarding this event, please contact Sgt. Teri Ellingham, Will County Sheriff’s Department at 815-727-5678 or us at troytriad@ live.com. Troy Triad is a partnership of the Will County Sheriff’s Department, Shorewood Police Department and senior citizens of Troy Township.

Another closure on Route 59 Lockport Street at Illinois Route 59 will be partially closed in order to allow for the reconstruction of an AT&T manhole located within the intersection, in conjunction with the Illinois Route 59 reconstruction project. Left turn maneuvers will again be prohibited from Lockport

Street to Illinois Route 59 in both the eastbound and westbound directions beginning Monday, Feb. 7. At the conclusion of this utility work, it is expected that the roadway contractor will resume construction operations shortly thereafter, necessitating continuance of the partial

roadway closure. The utility work will be completed by Electric Conduit Construction Company of West Chicago for AT&T, while D Construction is responsible for the roadway work. Both projects are part of the Illinois Route 59 reconstruction project.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011 3

SCHOOLS Continued from page 1

Academy builds on remains of St. Joseph School In the fall of 2010 Saint Joseph Academy opened it’s door through the grassroots efforts of St. Joseph parishioners and alumni. In the wake of their frustration over the decision to close St. Joseph School, community members galvanized to form an independent, Christ-based school for their displaced children. Through the efforts of a steering committee, St. Joseph Academy came to fruition at 51 W. Jackson in downtown Joliet. The school achieved non-profit status, hired a principal, hired staff and opened its doors during the span of a few short months. While St. Joseph School was closed on June 4, St. Joseph Academy welcomed students by Sept. 9. At the time of the St. Joseph School closing, there less than 200 students in the two-story, 100-year-old building, not enough to warrant the Diocese of Joliet keeping the institution’s doors open.

Bishop Peter Sartain, it was determined that a strategic plan for Catholic schools within the diocese was needed. The desire for a strong and thriving Catholic school system for the future as well as concerns about declining enrollment, demographic shifts and financial strains provided the impetus for the decision. This past November, that strategic plan was unveiled and according to Superintendent of Schools, the Rev. John Belmonte, who is charged with implementing the plan, progress is ready to be made. The Diocese of Joliet is the 21st largest district and among the top 40 in the country. The diocese is comprised of 170 Catholic school systems in seven counties including DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, and Kendall. “This is an exciting time for

us, we haven’t had a plan like this put in place in the history of the Catholic Schools Office,” said Belmonte who took on the position of superintended in July 2010. While the business world typically operates off such a plan, the concept was foreign to this diocese. Mirroring the plan of other dioceses across the country, the strategic plan sets out to build enrollment, increase retention, improve facilities and better serve the underserved populations of the diocese; and that required a broad consensus around a comprehensive plan. One of the most intriguing issues facing the Catholic schools is the change in population, says Belmonte who points to the fact that enrollment in Catholic schools peaked in the late 1960s at about 4 million nationwide and is now at 2 million. One area that poses a difficult growth edge is to engage the Latino population, 400,000 strong but not registered with the church or its schools. While

Latinos may attend Mass, they do not necessarily enroll in Catholic schools. Belmonte says there has been a long-standing belief among this sector that attending the school was only for the elite and the wealthy. “We have to build a bridge to the Latino community,” said Belmonte. “We are starting to reaching out to them with community outreach programs.”

The enrollment numbers But enrollment issues aren’t all the same across the system, rather depending on the area and its own population. For instance, St. Andrew Church in Romeoville is in a unique position as being the only school and parish in the area and has a community of about 3,200 families; Belmonte says there is a huge potential for growth. As part of the strategic plan and its guiding principles,

the school has expanded its preschool offerings, from halfday to full-day, five days a week, allowing parents to choose which days works for them. The preschool enrollment jumped from 22 to 60 and now has a waiting list. Belmonte says this bodes well for the future, suggesting that enrollment early on will transpose into higher enrollment numbers in each class. So is the case at St. Dominic’s School in Bolingbrook as well, where they are currently expanding its preschool program and hopes to take it five days a week. According to Principal Sister John Mary Fleming, the school has not lost enrollment in the past year, feeding from parishioners from St. Francis parish as well, which does not operate a separate school. “We have been heavily looking into our academics and I think that has boosted enrollments,” said Sr. Fleming. “We are a small See SCHOOLS, page 4

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

SCHOOLS Continued from page 3 school with a family heart.” Fleming says the school is in a healthy position because it is the only Catholic school in Bolingbrook and doesn’t face problems like that of the schools in Joliet who have to compete with one another for enrollment. This competition inspired St. Mary Nativity in Joliet to take a more creative approach to increasing enrollment. The school mailed brochures to parishes without schools of their own, placed ads on bus benches in Joliet, and on the Fourth of July hired a plane to pull an advertisement banner over the city. The school also hired the Macklin Group to revamp its website. The Jan. 30 Winter Wonderland Open House is another program the school conducts to market itself. Joan Matejka, principal at St. Mary Nativity, said she felt that the creative advertising methods were responsible for a doubling enrollment. In the fall of 2010 enrollment was 237, as opposed to the fall of 2009 when the school held only 148 students. While many students come to Catholic schools for the religious education, it’s not always the first reason, said Sister Fleming. “Some come to us because of safety,” said Fleming. “All the children know one another which makes parents and children feel safer. We also offer a more academically challenging curriculum. Our academics in math, reading are stronger.” Overall in fact, a recently released study by the National Catholic Educational Association show that the students who attend Catholic high schools are more likely to graduate and go to college. Catholic secondary schools report a graduation rate of 99.1 percent, compared to 73.2 percent in public schools. “Our students do well

academically but we try not be textbook driven,” said Matejka. “We encourage self-learning. We challenge students to go out and learn more on their own.”

Price tag for education But with a Catholic education, comes a price tag. Tuition costs on average in the Joliet/ Bolingbrook/Romeoville area is $3,427 for elementary students and $8,400 for high school. Belmonte said the diocese is cognizant of the role a failing economy has affected parents but also says parents are willing to pay for value. He says as part of the strategic plan the diocese is researching ways for schools to build or start better endowment funds and that it is dedicated to helping all students have an opportunity for a catholic education despite their socioeconomic status. “When you begin to talk to parents and ask them if they can afford $75 a week or skip the Disney vacation, they begin to see that maybe they can make it work,” said Belmonte. “It becomes about priorities.” What many parents do not realize is that the actual cost of tuition is closer to $5,000, with the rest of the tuition cost being picked up by the parish. A factor that has been outlined by the strategic plan is that problems begin when the parish is subsidizing more than 25 percent of the school costs. “A school needs to meet

three criteria: be able to attract enrollment, collect tuition and be able to have fund raising in place to be viable,” said Belmonte. Unfortunately this year as in years past, the diocese saw the closings of and mergers of five schools. “Closings are painful,” said Belmonte. “But while we are non-profit, we also are non-debt. We have to pay our bills,” While the closings were hard, the process helped the overall picture. For the first time in seven years, due to the closures and mergers, the diocese sane a decline in enrollment that was less than 1 percent last year. “The closures stop the bleeding,” said Belmonte. “But the strategic plan is in place so that we can avoid closures in the future.” He said the diocese is working from the top, down, basically using the resources and best practices from the Catholic universities and high schools that already have plans in place. The goal is to share that information and work on a cohesive process that all schools can identify with. Belmonte calls the plan just the torso of the project. He has future plans that involve adding arms and legs to the plan, with adding a financial, marketing, and implementation plan to further the success of the Catholic school system. Confident in the process, Belmonte said stay tuned for more excitement. katauskas@buglenewspapers.com

CALENDAR THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011 5

ONGOING Beginning Spanish Class. Learners of all ages are invited to this class at First & Santa Cruz Lutheran Parish at 55 W. Benton St. in Joliet. Classes meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and are taught in 8 week units until spring break in March. While classes are free, the recommended text is ‘Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day,” which costs $15-20. All are welcome to attend. History buffs wanted. Do you enjoy studying the past? Do you enjoy sharing that knowledge with others? If you said ‘yes’ to both questions, then The Gaylord Building wants you! The historic site is developing a corps of living history interpreters and needs volunteer history buffs to make it a success. The volunteers will recreate the mid-19th century for the education and entertainment of the public. Members need to be willing to learn about the era and share their discoveries, and interpret the past in replica period clothing and using replica period props. For more information call 815-838-9400 or visit 200 W. Eighth St. in Lockport during normal business hours. Career Café. Will County Workforce Services host its free weekly Career Café for job seekers at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday in Room 519 of the JJC Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. Reserve a spot by calling (815) 727-4444, ext. 122 or emailing bwashington@ willcountyillinois.com. Volunteers wanted. If you are 55 years or older and want to share your talents and help someone in need, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Catholic Charities needs you. RSVP is seeking volunteers to provide

assistance at a variety of local organizations. You can deliver a nutritious meal to a homebound senior, mentor a child, visit lonely seniors in nursing homes, or help coordinate craft projects at a senior center. Catholic Charities will match your interests with available volunteer opportunities. Catholic Charities will provide supplementary insurance, mileage and meal reimbursement during volunteer service. Please contact Barbara at 815-933-7791 ext 125 to help. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. Mortgage counseling offered at no cost by the Will County Center for Community Concerns. Homeowners ages 62 years or older can supplement their incomes, pay off debts or make needed home repairs. Call the center at (815) 722-0722 ext. 209 or ext. 221 to learn more about a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. Financial literacy class. The Will County Center for Community Concerns offers a financial literacy class on budgeting, money management

and credit. At the end of each class the participant will have a bank account opened for them with $100 deposited by Will County Center for Community Concerns. To be eligible, each participant must: be at or below the 200 percent poverty level, have a child in the household 16 years old or younger (bring in proof of children’s age: birth Certificate or medical card), provide proof of 90 days income, proof of Will County residency (mortgage statement, deed to your home, rental lease, or utility bill) and Social Security cards for everyone in the household. For more information call (815) 722-0722 and ask for the CSBG department.

Need a Job?/GED Classes?. Education Service Network NFP Inc.’s Career Seekers GED/ Workforce program, a program of the Regional Office of Education, has relocated. Our new office is located at 179 North Chicago St. Joliet, Illinois 60432. We continue to offer GED classes/resume preparation/job placement for participants between the ages of 16 and 21. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon; Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. We also offer GED classes at our satellite site at the Friendship Centre at HighPoint, 175 South HighPoint See CALENDAR, page 6

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

CALENDAR Continued from page 5 Dr., Romeoville on Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.This program is conducted with funds from the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the United States Department of Labor. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For more information concerning these classes, please contact 815-774-8902 or 815774-8922.

JANUARY 27 & 28 ‘The Sparrow’ auditions. 6 p.m. at Joliet Junior College. Written by Nathan Allen, Chris Matthews, and Jake Minton, ‘The Sparrow’ was originally produced by the House Theatre of Chicago and revolves around a troubled teenager with mysterious powers. Forced to return to her small hometown, she and the other community members must finally come to terms with a heartbreaking event that continues to haunt them all. Those interested in auditioning are asked to prepare a one-minute monologue from a modern drama.It is preferred that the monologue is memorized, but you may read from a script.

JANUARY 29 Annual education summit. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mt. Zion Family Life Center, 402 Singleton Place, Joliet. This summit, entitled “Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will” is ideal for parents and students of all ages. There will be breakout sessions on study skills and testing. Teachers will be able to ask questions and explore ideas on how to help their student improve their grades and test scores. Prizes, lunch, and other giveaways will all be part of an exciting and informative day. For more information, contact the church office at 815-723-9445. Chinese New Year. 1 p.m. at the Crest Hill Library, 1298 Theodore St. Alan Chew, owner of the Dragon Light Restaurant in Crest Hill, will discuss Chinese food, customs, and traditions in this fun and educational program. For more information or to register, call the Library at 815-725-0234.

FEBRUARY 4 & 5 Antique and collectible sale. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Encore Shop, northwest of Silver Cross Hospital’s Keck Emergency Pavilion off Walnut St. in Joliet. The Encore Shop’s annual antique and collectibles sale will offer such items as vintage and Barbie dolls, political buttons, school desks, Litho paintings by Robert Wood, exquisite china pieces, and comic books. All proceeds from the sale will benefit Silver Cross Hospital. For more information call Volunteer Services at Silver Cross Hospital at 815-740-7117.

FEBRUARY 5 & 6 Prepared childbirth weekend class. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.on Sunday at Silver Cross Hospital, 1200 Maple Rd., Joliet. Participants will receive instruction from a registered nurse on breathing, relaxation floor exercise techniques, and a tour of the luxurious birthing suite. She will also review the labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum processes. Cost is $75 per couple. To register, contact the hospital at www. silvercross.org or 1-888-660HEAL (4325).

FEBRUARY 5 Joliet Montessori School Open House. 9:30 a.m. Joliet Montessori School (JMS) will host an Open House for parents of three year olds and those who will be turning three during the 2011-2012 school year and want to know what a Montessori education can do for their children. Events include a tour of the school and a preview of the Montessori Method. For information call (815) 741-4180 or visit www. jolietmontessorischool.org. Storytime in English and Spanish. 11 a.m. at the Crest Hill Library, 1298 Theodore St. Storytime in English and Spanish includes stories, rhymes,

fingerplays, and songs. This program lasts 30 minutes. Sign up in the Children’s Department or call 815-725-0234. Tiempo de cuentos en espanol y en ingles incluye la lectura, rimas, dramas de dedos, y canciones. El programa dura 30 minutos. Registrate en el Departmento de ninos o llame 815-725-0234. Spaghetti dinner. 4-7 p.m. at Joliet West cafeteria, on Glenwood and Larkin Ave. in Joliet. The event will feature jazz music played by both jazz bands and a dinner of spaghetti, salad, bread, drinks, and homemade desserts for only $8 per person. Proceeds will support the bands of Joliet West High School.Tickets will be sold at the event and food is available for dine in or carryout. For more information e-mail Mrs. Taylor at e_may_1@ att.net. “Hugs and Wishes” Chocolate Ball. 7-11 p.m. at Shorewood Village Hall. The second annual Chocolate Ball, sponsored by Exelon Nuclear Braidwood Station, is coming. Tickets can be purchased for $40 each at the Village Hall before the event, or for $50 at the door. Proceeds help support the “Hugs and Wishes” program and the Veteran’s Memorial Foundation. For more information go to www.shorewoodhugs.org.

FEBRUARY 6 Birthing center tours. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Silver Cross Hospital campus, 1200 Maple Rd. in Joliet. Free birthing center tours are offered to help new parents prepare and expect the best from their birthing experience in the hospital’s birthing suites. For more information, visit www. silvercross.org or call 1-888-660HEAL (4325).

FEBRUARY 7 Monday Madness. 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Crest Hill Library, 1298 Theodore St. Will it be art, science, cooking, games, or

something totally crazy? This bimonthly session of silliness is for kids aged 6-9. Registration is required, so call the library at 815-725-0234.

FEBRUARY 9 Chocolates and hearts. 4:305:30 p.m. at the Crest Hill Library. Come listen to some Valentines Day stories and songs, then make chocolates and valentines for your someone special. This event is for children from birth to 13 years old. Parents and guardians should accompany any children under 8 years old. Please register.

FEBRUARY 13 Birthing center tours. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Silver Cross Hospital campus, 1200 Maple Rd. in Joliet. Free birthing center tours are offered to help new parents prepare and expect the best from their birthing experience in the hospital’s birthing suites. For more information, visit www. silvercross.org or call 1-888-660HEAL (4325).

FEBRUARY 12 Cathi Gardner-Jackson fundraiser. 5 p.m. at Bada Brew, 802 Theodore in Joliet. Local bands WTF, Hillbilly Ricksaw, and Big Trouble will be playing at this benefit for Cathi GardnerJackson, who has battled cancer since she was 14 years old. She has devoted her life to motivational speaking for the American Cancer Society. Cost is $15 at the door. Raffles will be going on all night. For more information contact Julie at 815416-8630.

FEBRUARY 14 Magic Tree House Club. 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Crest Hill Library, 1298 Theodore St.Where are Jack and Annie headed next? Follow them as they explore ancient worlds, distant lands, and amazing creatures. Each adventure will include crafts, activities, games, and more. Ages 6-9. Visit the Children’s department or call 815-725-0234 to register.

FEBRUARY 20 Birthing center tours. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Silver Cross Hospital campus, 1200 Maple Rd. in Joliet. Free birthing center tours are offered to help new parents prepare and expect the best from their birthing experience in the hospital’s birthing suites. For more information, visit www. silvercross.org or call 1-888-660HEAL (4325). Cherub Rock fundraiser. 3-8 p.m. at Cool River Draught House, 12622 S. 159th St., Homer Glen. This evening of music and merriment is a benefit for the Cherubs Support Organization, the Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Awareness, and Support. The benefit features local bands Acoustically Challenged,Breaking Fate, Iniquity of Symmetry, The Last Envy, and DJ and MC by Joey DjXcape Gruzanski. Admission is $40 and includes food, drink, live music, and a donation to the CSO. For more information visit www.facebook.com/ cherubrockbenefit. Visit www. cherubs-cdh.org

FORUM

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Commentary

Boxes of happiness delivered to your door There’s a sweetness in the air. It’s a mix of soothing vanilla, hearty peanut butter and a dash of chocolate mint. Yes, friends, it is Girl Scout cookie season. Across the suburbs smiling youngsters in smocks and sashes are hawking $4 boxes of a Great American favorite. They are at your doorstep, in front of the supermarket, outside the coffee house. And they are tempting you. I must say up front that I am currently a Brownie leader and a former scout, so my take on this season may be skewed to the positive, but still I delight each year when the cookies cross my doorstep, like a little piece of delicious childhood wrapped in a cardboard box. I remember the days of my own youth, selling cookies door to door in my neighborhood.Thirty years ago, we were allowed to sell our wares as far as our little feet could carry us. Blocks and blocks and blocks I traveled, and while not everyone purchased a box, I had very few doors shut in my face. Girl Scout cookies made people happy then, and they still

Publisher Rich Masterson publisher@buglenewspapers.com Editor-in-chief Andrew Schneider aschneider@buglenewspapers.com Managing Editor M. Grace Tucker gtucker@buglenewspapers.com Sports Editor Rob Valentin rvalentin@buglenewspapers.com Reporters Sherri Dauskurdas Rick Kambic Laura Katauskas Debbie Lively Sports Reporters Mark Gregory Scott Taylor Staff Photographer Robert Bykowski Editorial Deadlines Letters to Editor: 9 a.m. Monday Calendar: 3 p.m. Monday News: 9 a.m. Monday Sports: 9 a.m. Monday

do today. There is a pure simplicity to the Girl Scout Cookie, and that’s why it is beloved, here and abroad. Each year, tens of thousands of boxes are donated to our American soldiers overseas. The boxes, sent through Joliet’s Operation Care Package, each are wrapped in a letter or coloring page from a scout, and delivered to an individual soldier. Many of these men and women return letters and photos from Iraq, Afghanistan and other places in the world, sharing their appreciation and a bit of their experiences with the scouts. But our children can’t go doorto-door at the distance they once did. A suburban environment that leaves many of us strangers to our own neighbors also cuts short their fund-raising opportunity. That’s why these days you see our scouts selling cookies from booths in front of Sam’s Club and Jewel. Also a challenge is the very fact that we live in a world chock full of fund-raisers. There are band members selling chocolate bars

Vice President of Advertising and Marketing Michael James mjames@voyagermediaonline.com Production Director Andrew Samaan andrew@buglenewspapers.com Advertising Sales sales@buglenewspapers.com Published by Voyager Media Group, Inc. P.O. Box 1613 23856 W. Andrew Rd. Plainfield, IL 60585 (815) 436-2431 • Fax (815) 436-2592 www.buglenewspapers.com news@buglenewspapers.com Office hours Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ad Deadlines Space and Copy deadlines for Display and Classified Ads is 3 p.m. Friday before date of insertion. (Except holidays & special sections.) Legals, Obituaries and Happy Ads are due at noon Monday.

and home-schooled kids selling newspaper subscriptions. We buy wrapping paper and Boy Scout popcorn, flower bulbs and magazines. Schools host bake sales and spare change drives while cheerleaders wash cars. And of course, there’s Market Day. All of these fund-raisers are equally important. They provide the means for class trips and equipment, camping excursions and museum visits, projectors

and patches and more. In scouts, they often allow for reduced troop dues so children from families that can’t pay still can participate in a program that teaches leadership, citizenship and instills confidence in its young members. So when you see our girls at your doorstep or out front of your nearby grocer, consider buying a box. Keep it for yourself or donate it to our servicemen and women

Illustrated Opinion

overseas. And if you don’t make a purchase, give a smile and some encouragement. Selling to the public is tough for youngsters, and the whole process raises confidence as well as funds. In return, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you helped a good cause. Your tastebuds will thank you as well. Sherri Dauskurdas Bugle Staff

SCHOOLS 8

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Kings and queens of academic jungle Shorewood Lions Club / Troy 30C W.B. Orenic Intermediate and Troy Middle School Students of The Month for the month of December, 2010 were selected on the basis of consistent effort, productive citizenship, positive attitude, participation in class / advisory team. The students were honored and received their awards during the Troy 30 C School Board meeting on January 19, 2011. The following students were selected, W.B. Orenic Intermediate School Sixth Graders Kenya Sanchez daughter of Juan and MariaAraceli Escobar,Devin Patch daughter of Jeffrey and Debra Patch, James Blankenship son of Scott and Heidi Blankenship and Kylie Drop daughter of Ms. Alicia Drop, Middle School Seventh Graders Kenane Chammout son of Husam and Manar Chammout, Samantha Gal daughter of Stanislaw and Dana Gal, Matthew Meier son of Thomas and Barbara Meier, Eighth Graders Daniel Rodriguez son of Ms.Angelica Rodriguez, Michael Ruwoldt son of Ms. Gina Talarico and Shemaree Campbell daughter of Ms. Felicia Johnson. In addition to certificates from both sponsors, the students received awards from the

submitted photo

Shorewood Lions Club / Wm.B. Orenic Intermediate School Sixth Grade Students and Troy Middle School Seventh and Eighth Grade Students of The Month for the month of December, 2010 are from left to right seated Front row 6th Graders, Kenya Sanchez, Devin Patch, James Blankenship and Kylie Drop, Back row standing 7th Graders Kenane Chammout, Matthew Meier, 8th Graders Daniel Rodriguez and Shemaree Campbell. (not pictured 7th Grader Samantha Gal and 8th Grader Michael Ruwoldt).

following merchants Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Delite Restaurant, Babes Hot Dogs Restaurant, McDonalds Restaurant, Pizza for U, Chils Restaurant, Cemenoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant. In addition to Student of The

Month program, the Shorewood Lions Club helps any needy person in Troy Township who has a sight or hearing problem get glasses, hearing aids and other related equipment including seeing eye dogs.

They will also help any sight or hearing impaired children sign up for Camp Lions in the summer, Phone Jim McDonald at (815) 725- 0473 for help, or e-mail at Dimac13@comcast.net.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011 1 Declare as true 5 Machu Picchu

47 Sault __ Marie, MI

15 Writer Bellow 16 Dutch flower

55 Part 5 of quote 59 Attribute

resident 9 Persian rulers 14 Japanese soup

48 Turns inside out 51 Book div. 53 Plunders

17 Martial __ 18 Start of Ashleigh Brilliant quote 20 Impassive 22 Play for time

23 Part 2 of quote 25 Alone 30 Holds sway

32 __ Sue Martin 33 Friend in France 36 Former D.C. hostess Perle 38 Actress Moran

39 Part 3 of quote 41 Part 4 of quote 44 Waikiki dance 45 Yellow-fever mosquito

Don’t let a chance for some fun today pass you by. The workweek ahead will be a busy one and a little time spent doing what you enjoy will recharge your batteries. A romantic interest may be a little more romantic than usual tonight.

I n f o r m a l settings are where you will be most at home. You may look great in a tie or a dress, but you’ll be far more comfortable in jeans this week. Designate time for your own pursuits and bypass the needs of others.

Don’t get in over your head this week. In trying to be helpful, you may offer to solve a problem that you are neither qualified nor capable of handling. There’s no shame in asking for help when you can’t figure out your next move.

You’ll find no enjoyment indoors. Get out and discover ways to have fun in the great outdoors. Some fresh air will be just the thing to raise your energy level for the coming week. When shopping, looking is much cheaper than buying.

For once, you can put pleasure before business. There will be plenty of time for work in the week ahead. Do spend time in pursuit of something or someone that really grabs your interest. Let your hair down.

Get out your calculator. Your prowess with numbers comes into play this week, as you lend help to someone with their books or make precise measurements for mundane tasks. Find little ways to show loved ones you really care.

Get your kicks while you can as a busy week lies ahead. Take some time to enjoy the simpler pleasures in life. You can earn both gratitude and karmic benefits by lending a helping hand to someone who needs it.

Dust off the address book and invite friends and family over for a wingding this week. Surrounding yourself with loved ones will be just what the doctor ordered to bring a much-needed smile to your face.

Dreams don’t always come true this week. An intricate pipe dream may temporarily seem like the answer to all your problems but when you eventually look at it practically, it’s just so much smoke.

A little pride in your appearance can go a long way toward drawing notice from those in power who can start you down the road to success. Conduct yourself as a professional and no one will question that you are this week.

You can’t tell what’s in the center of a chocolate without taking a bite. While outward appearances may seem unattractive, what lies beneath the surface may be far more appealing. Accept nothing at face value in the week ahead.

You’ll need to think on your feet this week. No matter how much training or whatever your qualifications, sometimes the only way to get through a situation is just to follow your instinct and do what you think is right.

61 Talk and talk 62 End of quote

67 Lhasa __ 68 Blazing 69 Unit of loudness

70 Singing Diamond 71 Skin cream 72 Writer Bagnold 73 Writer Quindlen

1 Gather together 2 Taste for objets d’art 3 Bar legally 4 More promising 5 Ending for a belief 6 Those opposed 7 Follower of a charismatic leader 8 Otherwise called 9 Stanley Kowalski’s cry 10 What say? 11 King or carte leadin 12 Towel word 13 Health resort 19 Failure 21 Bread fragment 24 Cordon __ (master chef) 26 Prayer closer 27 Gull-like birds 28 George who was Mary 29 “Divine Comedy” poet 31 Como __ Usted?

33 Was sore 34 Purple hue 35 Wight and Anglesey 37 Verdi heroine 40 Canvas cover, briefly 42 Bennett of Random House 43 Up and about 46 Greek letter 49 Not this, informally 50 Noble address 52 Tennessee’s lizard? 54 Expire 56 Loose cattle 57 Pine sap product 58 “__ Gay” 60 Singer Tennille 62 Trigger treat 63 ET’s vehicle 64 Malleable metal 65 Three in Italy 66 Sen. Kennedy

Last Week’s Answers Jumbles: SWOOP WALTZ REFUGE LAVISH Answer: Why the price of the firewood was reduced TO “HEAT UP” SALES

SUDOKU

INSIDE: Lockport beats Joliet West in girls hoops,

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Locals enjoy success at conference meet By Mark Gregory Sports reporter

Lockport’s Brad Johnson has been ranked at or near No. 1 in the state at 189 pounds all season and despite missing the Lockport mega duals on Jan. 15, he knew he had to return to form at the SouthWest Suburban Conference meet. He did just that. Johnson pinned all three of his opponents at the tournament, including Joliet West’s Matt Koran in 4 minutes, 30 seconds to win the conference title. “Lately I have been turning it up at practice,” Johnson said. “My goal here was to pin everyone I wrestled. I am just trying to get to the (state) finals and win this like everyone says I am supposed to. I know everyone is coming for me. If I do what I know I am supposed to do and what people say I am going to do, I will do some good things.” Despite the pin, Koran took the match for what it was.

WRESTLING HIGHLIGHT: Lockport had a pair of SWSC champs in Brad Johnson and Shaun’Qae McMurtry, while Travon Zabala won for Joliet C. COMING UP: Lockport, Joliet West and Joliet Central will head to the state regional meet in two weeks.

“It was a learning experience,” he said. “You can only be mad about it for so long and then you have to get over it and use it for what it is, a learning experience. It is not the end of the world. I haven’t really faced anyone that good all year, so that was a test. I think I did pretty good against all the other kids. I tried going all out against (Johnson), the pin really didn’t show how hard I was going.” Thanks in part to that match, the Porters edged out the Tigers for fifth place in the conference rankings. Lockport totaled 108.5 team points, while West posted 93.5. Sandburg won the conference See WRESTLING, page 12

Mark Gregory/Bugle staff

Lockport’s Brad Johnson was SWSC champion at 189 pounds.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

WRESTLING Continued from page 11 with 270.5 followed by the three Lincoln-Ways. West was second with 177, then Central (166), while East (130) rounded out the top four. The Porters other champion was Shaun’Qae McMurtry at 152 pounds. He pinned Thornwood’s Aaron Richmond 45 seconds into the second round. “I was trying to wrestle at my peak today,”McMurtry said.“I don’t think I wrestled phenomenal like I want to in regionals, but I was close. If I keep picking it up from here, I will be just fine.” Joliet Central’s lone wrestler in the title match was Travon Zabala at 112.He entered the tournament with a 27-3 record. He earned his 30th win on the season as well as the SWSC title with a 9-7 decision over Jim Panozzo of Sandburg. “He was tougher than the first time I wrestled him,” Zabala said of Panozzo. “I am now trying to get to state and place high.”

The Steelmen had another wrestler in the top three, as Carlos Garcia placed third at 112 with a 9-2 win over Sandburg’s John Pellegrino. At 103, Lockport’s Brian Rossi placed third. Joliet West’s Jorge Ulloa claimed third at 112. The SWSC teams will now have a week to rest or tune their skills before the regional tournaments. West, Central and Lockport will compete at the Lockport regional Feb. 5 looking for a chance to advance sectional a week later.

Mark Gregory/Bugle staff

Joliet Central’s Travon Zabala (left) won the SWSC title at 112 pounds last weekend.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Porters hold off West By Mark Gregory Sports reporter

As the season goes on, opponents are starting to adjust to Lockport senior Amber Surdokaite. Her teammates are noticing the adjustments and know they have to step up and carry more of the load.

GIRLS BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHT: Taylor Quain scored a team-high 18 points in Lockport’s 57-40 win over SWSC Blue rival Joliet West. COMING UP: The Porters travel to Homewood-Flossmoor for another SWSC match.

Mark Gregory/Bugle staff

Taylor Quain led Lockport over Joliet West last week.

That was what Taylor Quain did last week in a 57-40 SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue Division win over Joliet West. Quain led the Porters (12-7, 5-3) with 18 points. “As we are more into the season, everyone knows Amber is our leading scorer and it gives us more opportunities,” Quain See PORTERS, page 16

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

West nips Bolingbrook in closing seconds By Mark Gregory Sports reporter

After Jeremy Noel missed the back end of a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of last week’s game, it appeared as if the Tigers comeback bid over Bolingbrook had fallen short. However, the rebound was tipped around and ended up in the hands of Remy RobertsBurnett at mid court. A timeout set up a play that put the ball back in Roberts-Burnett’s hands and the senior came through with a runner in the lane that put the Tigers ahead by a point with nine seconds left. Bolingbrook’s Dan Fisher runner fell short and West won the SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue Division contest 34-33. “I got a good drive to the basket,” said Roberts-Burnett. “I knew I could get by him. I practice that floater all the time and it went down. I was hyped, the gym was hyped. It was special.” Roberts-Burnett paced the Tigers with a game-best 11 points and closed out the 12-2 run that ended the contest. “This is a great win for us,” said Joliet West coach Luke Yaklich. “We struggle to score and we know that and we are working to correct that. But, the guys have bought in to the defensive mindset that it is going to take to win games in this conference.I am proud of the kids, they battled. “(Remy) is struggling shooting right now, but he is working his way through it. A senior on his home floor, he came up with the big shot. He wants to play great every night.” Bolingbrook had its own offensive struggles going 9-for-20 from the free throw line while

BOYS BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHT: Remy RobertsBurnett hit a last second runner to lead Joliet West past Bolingbrook in SWSC Blue play. COMING UP: The Tigers will travel to Sandburg Friday night at 7 p.m. to compete in SWSC action.

missing 14 layups. The Tigers have allowed on average 33 points since Christmas and are 3-2 in those games. “We are a defensive-minded team and if we ever find a rhythm on offense where we can get an eight or 10 point run on someone, teams will have a hard time coming back against us,” Yaklich said. “A win like this, where we use our defense to shut the door down the stretch, it will build confidence.” The Tigers’ offense had been struggling, but the players were not afraid to let the shots fly. Sophomore Carl Terrell nailed a three-pointer off an in-bound play to cut the game to one in the final minutes. “Early in the game, I was hesitant but I had to take the shot when it was open,” said Terrell. “It felt good to hit the shot for the team.” The Tigers got a scare late in the contest when senior Brandon Tyson went out with a knee injury after crashing into the wall. He is expected to return to the lineup without missing much, if any, time. “We got together in the huddle and we said we knew Brandon wanted to win the game so bad,” Roberts-Burnett said. “We all wanted to win, but he gets this burn in his eyes and you know how bad he wants to win. We basically played the last minutes for him.” mark@buglenewspapers.com

Mark Gregory/Bugle staff

Remy Roberts-Burnett hit the game-winner over Bolingbrook last weekend.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Anderson escapes, set to defend title By Scott Taylor Sports reporter

Midway through the Joliet West Sectional Saturday at Town and Country Lanes, it appeared that the defending state champion was in trouble of making the state meet. Lockport senior Kyle Anderson sat in 13th place and if his team didn’t make it to state, it appeared a tough grind for Anderson to make it among the top two individuals. But like all champions, he didn’t give up. He opened the afternoon with a 225 and then had a 268 and all of a sudden he was right in the middle of the action. “It was a super-tough shot today,” Anderson said. “It was the hardest shot of the season and maybe the hardest shot of my high school career. I had no room outside and inside it didn’t hold very much. I just tried to think of the next shot.” While a 188 final game wasn’t what he wanted, Anderson grinded it out and became the second individual qualifier with a 1,290, good for fifth overall. “That was probably one of the hardest bowling things I’ve done in my life,” Anderson said. “I just went with the attitude that if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I put the ball where I wanted to and spares are important. I missed a few spares today, but overall they helped me in the end.” Romeoville’s Kyle Zaremba won the tournament with a 1,331, while Oswego’s Mikey Preston was the top individual qualifier with a 1,318. Now that Anderson is headed to state, he has a chance to defend his title, something that has never been done in state history on the boys’ side. “I just hope I can represent the team the way I did last year,” Anderson stated. “It was big to get through here. I just have to go there firing and see what happens. It would be really nice

BOYS BOWLING HIGHLIGHT: Lockport’s Kyle Anderson qualified for the state boys bowling tournament with a fifth-place finish. COMING UP: Anderson will compete at the state tournament this Saturday in O’Fallon.

to finish in the top 12. I would be satisfied with that.” As a team the Porters finished fourth with a 5,819. Plainfield Central won with a 6,221. Romeoville picked up the second team slot with a 6,024. “We have a lot of quality bowlers on our team,” Anderson said. “We are good enough to go to state, but this was a really tough sectional. We have eight solid bowlers.” John Isit was 19th with a 1,159 and Justin Vandenburg was 23rd with a 1,153. Minooka was seventh with a 5,432. Nick Beeler led the Indians with a 1,214, good for 14th overall. “I used my anarchy (ball) through the first four games and it worked well,” Beeler said. “I’m pretty happy. I think it was my high series over six games. I came in as a JV bowler and finished as a varsity bowler.” Zach Segatto was 27th with a 1,140, Mike Maida was 37th with a 1,068 and Justin Shepard was 44th with a 997. “Our team could have done better I think,” Beeler said. “We were all hoping to shoot over 1,200. But we had a very good season and we were very young. Next year is going to be a good year.We need more endurance.” Joliet West took eighth with a 5,420. Mike Layfield led the way with a 1,207 (16th), Alex Galvan had a 1,103 (34th), Richard Hintz rolled a 1,060 (38th) and Andrew Wermer added a 1,043 (40th). Joliet Central was 15th with a 4,705. Jason Wills paced the Steelmen with a 1,059 (39th) and Patrick Anderson added a 1,021 (43rd). staylor@buglenewspapers.com

Scott Tayloir/Bugle staff

Lockport’s Kyle Anderson will defend his state title this weekend in O’Fallon.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

PORTERS Continued from page 14

BOYS BASKETBALL 1. Downers South (16-3) 2. Notre Dame (16-3) 3. Lockport (14-5) 4. Plainfield Central (14-4) 5. Plainfield South (12-5) 6. Maine South (15-6) 7. Plainfield North (13-6)

GIRLS BASKETBALL 1. Bolingbrook (16-2) 2. Minooka (16-3) 3. Maine South (17-6) 4. Niles West (16-7) 5. Romeoville (16-4) 6. Downers South (13-7) 7. Downers North

GIRLS BOWLING 1. Plainfield Central 2. Minooka 3. Plainfield South 4. Lockport 5. Joliet West 6. Plainfield North 7. Downers South

BOYS BOWLING 1. Plainfield Central 2. Romeoville 3. Lockport 4. Notre Dame 5. Bolingbrook 6. Minooka 7. Plainfield South

WRESTLING 1. Minooka 2. Plainfield Central 3. Notre Dame 4. Lockport 5. Downers North 6. Joliet West 7. Bolingbrook

Voyager Media is the parent company of the The Enterprise, Bugle and Sentinel newspapers. The three papers cover 18 high schools in 12 communities. The rankings are compiled by Rob Valentin, Mark Gregory and Scott Taylor.

said. “We have to fill in as they try and stop her. I see everything I am practicing working out. My teammates saw me when I am open and they found me.” Finding open players is something Lockport coach Krista Peterson says her team does well. “This is not a selfish team,” she said. “They do a nice job sharing the basketball, sometimes they pass too much.” Surdokaite still got her shots and tallied 16 points, while senior guard Stephanie Karl added 12. “We had three players in double figures and that is something we need to have every night,” Peterson said. “When they bring this intensity and work ethic, they make the hard things look easy. We need to have people step up and produce for us and (Taylor) really stepped up.” Scoring is not the only thing the Porters did well, as they crashed

the boards better than they have most of the season. “We have been stressing that we need to outrebound teams,” Peterson said. “We did that, especially on the offensive end.” Joliet West (3-14,1-7) kept the game close, as the Porters were ahead only 25-21 at the half. “This is who we are,” said Joliet West coach Kevin Michaels. “We are young and we are getting great experience. We are missing that true leader and we are looking for that vocal leader. We are not consistent. We go three good quarters and have one that gets us.” Aaliyah Stepney led the Tigers with 12 points while Khadija Cooley added scored seven points and Daviona Ervins tallied six. “We have heart, we don’t pout,” Michaels said.“The girls know the circumstance. They know we are in a tough conference. I can’t be more prod of them. I tell them in a year or two years from now how good you will be. I would love the W, but the learning experience is golden.”

Mark Gregory/Bugle staff

Joliet West fell to Lockport in a SouthWest Suburban battle.

FOOD 18

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Get back to the basics with hearty winter soup How wonderful it is when you come across a magicalseeming, easy recipe that helps you produce not just one delicious result but instead an endless variety of meals, each of which seems even better than the last. Cooks treasure recipes like that, passing them down from generation to generation. That is certainly how I feel about the pureed soup of winter vegetables that my grandmother taught my mother how to make, and my mother then taught me. No matter what fresh ingredients my mother had on

hand when the weather was cold, she always got wonderful results with this recipe.And, thinking back to my youth, those soups she made were even more surprising because, in the early days, we didn’t even have a refrigerator. What we did have was a wonderful vegetable cellar, where the temperature was constantly around 40 degrees F. In the autumn, when my mother

harvested the root vegetables from our garden, she would nestle them in a bed of sand in the cellar.There they hibernated, waiting to be awakened to play a part in hearty meals all through the winter. No matter what vegetables she brought up from the cellar, in whatever combination, my mother turned them into wonderful soup. That’s the beauty of her recipe. Start with the kind and number of vegetables I give you in the recipe. Add more carrots and less of the parsnips, turnip, and rutabaga, and you get a carrot soup. Leave out the carrots and

you get a beautiful ivory-colored winter root puree. Use just potatoes and leeks and you’ll have the classic leek-and-potato soup. Always include some potato, though, to help make the puree smooth and thick. You can also change the soup to your tastes in other ways. Use water or any kind of broth you like. Add a smoked ham hock, some chopped bacon or ham, or smoked turkey to simmer with the vegetables. Puree the soup as coarsely or finely as you like. (My mother used a hand-cranked food mill, but a food processor or blender will work fine, too.) Leave it dairy-

free or enrich it with cream, half-and-half, creme fraiche, or sour cream. One thing my mother always liked to do was bake some white bread cubes in the oven along with a little bacon until golden, then scatter the tasty mixture over each serving. You could just as easily top the soup with grated cheese, or chopped fresh herbs, swirl some pesto into it, or leave it plain. You see? There are so many ways to get delicious, satisfying results from just one recipe. I’ve already begun to share it with my four sons, yet another generation.

CREAM OF ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP WITH SOUR CREAM Serves 6

6 cups water or organic store-bought chicken broth 3 medium organic carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 medium organic parsnips, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 organic celery stalks, coarsely chopped 1 large russet potato, peeled and coarsely chopped 1 large turnip, peeled and coarsely chopped 1 large organic leek, white part only, trimmed and split lengthwise, thoroughly rinsed, and cut crosswise into slices 1/2 large rutabaga, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons chopped Italian (flat-leafed) parsley 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste 1/2 teaspoon white pepper 1 pinch ground coriander 2 tablespoons whipping cream 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/2 cup sour cream Minced fresh dill or thinly sliced green onion, for garnish If using a pressure cooker, put the water or broth in the pressure cooker and, with the lid off, preheat it on medium-high heat until the liquid begins to simmer.

Add the carrots, parsnips, celery, potato, turnip, leek, rutabaga, parsley, salt, pepper, and coriander. Secure the pressure cooker lid. When high pressure has been reached, reduce the heat to low and set a timer for 12 minutes. When 12 minutes are up, turn off the cooker or remove it from the heat and release the pressure, following the manufacturer’s instructions. If using a soup pot on the stovetop, in the pot combine the water or broth, all of the vegetables, parsley, salt, pepper, and coriander. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer until the vegetables are tender and the soup is fragrant, about 45 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully remove the lid from the pressure cooker or uncover the pot. With an immersion blender, puree the soup to the desired consistency, as coarse or smooth as you like. (You can also puree the soup in small batches in a blender or food processor, or through a food mill.) Stir in the cream and butter and adjust the seasonings to taste. To serve the soup hot, ladle it into heated serving bowls. Add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of dill or green onion to each serving. To serve the soup cold, transfer the entire batch to a large heatproof bowl. Let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hour or overnight until thoroughly chilled. Ladle into chilled bowls and garnish with sour cream and dill or green onions. (c) 2011 WOLFGANG PUCK WORLDWIDE, INC.

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011

Taking wind out of defensive co-worker’s sails Q. No matter what I do with one of my co-workers, he tells me the job I did is not good enough. He also finds some flaw in everything I do. I’m ready to either give up or scream at him. I love your advice and thought you might have a better idea. Help! A. Some folks believe in the old adage that the best defense is a good offense. The logic behind this thinking is that if they can just keep pointing fingers at you, then no one will look very closely at their imperfections. Now that you’ve discovered your co-worker is deeply insecure, here’s how you handle him. Ask to do some brainstorming privately with him regarding your work

projects.When you have him alone, say, “I need to do a better job of making sure I understand what exactly you want from me on this project. I know you know that if I don’t have all the details in advance, you will always find something that could have been done better.” You are now going to appeal to your co-worker’s need to look perfect by adding: “I can guarantee that if you don’t provide me with enough detail up front, you will not get everything you wanted. I’ve

realized that you do not want to look like you’re not being clear or setting up co-workers to fail.” He will, of course, insist that it is true he is being perfectly clear and completely supports his co-workers. The beauty of this approach is that he now must either get more specific or knock off his constant criticism. Realize that many people suffer from some version of your co-worker’s bad habit. In the workplace, many of us don’t stop to consider the YouTube video we are aiming to get from a co-worker. We seem to put a lot of stock in other people’s telepathic ability. We then get really upset that people don’t deliver what

we want. Some of my clients tell me it almost feels like to cheating to define what we want others to do and to say, and then (gasp), yes, tell them. The truth is, most people around us prefer that we be happy with them, rather than to make us feel disrespected, unsupported or undermined. If we are willing to take the risk to speak up more often, we set up the conditions for a happier, more productive workplace for everyone. Just make sure that when you speak up, you don’t close your co-worker’s ears by saying things like, “I’d really like it if you’d stop being such an idiot!” Keep in mind that criticizing

or labeling people is a way of having a tantrum and has nothing to do with effective communication. Statements like, “I’d really like it if I could have your report first thing on Monday morning so I can make you and our team look good when I meet with our boss,” will go much further than backhanded blame. Daneen Skube, Ph.D., executive coach, trainer, therapist and speaker, also appears as the FOX Channel’s “Workplace Guru” each Monday morning. She’s the author of “Interpersonal Edge: Breakthrough Tools for Talking to Anyone, Anywhere, About Anything” (Hay House, 2006). You can contact Dr. Skube at www. interpersonaledge.com or 1420 NW Gilman Blvd., #2845, Issaquah, WA 98027. Sorry, no personal replies.

How to find a good car despite a bad family situation Dear Dave, My wife is divorcing me, and we just had our first baby boy. I feel it’s my responsibility to take care of her until the divorce is final, and to keep her in a safe vehicle. She’s driving a 1982 Honda Civic, and it’s so small any kind of wreck could be a disaster. I’m thinking about buying her a new car. What do you think? Mike Dear Mike, I’m really sorry you guys are going through all this, especially with a new baby. I appreciate your nobility and attitude about the situation, but you need to realize that once you’re divorced, it’s no longer your responsibility to take care of her. Divorce carries a lot of stress and worry

for everyone involved, but I don’t think buying her a new car will solve anything. It may actually lead her to expect even more from you later on. I’m going to take a wild guess that the truth is you’re worried about your child, and this whole thing is breaking your heart. That’s natural. It means you love your baby. But a “safe” car doesn’t have to mean a brand new car. You could put her in an old Suburban and she’d be safe, because those things are tanks! If it were me, and the

relationship couldn’t be salvaged, I’d find a large used car, one that one of you can pay for with cash, and let her drive off into the

sunset. Spend every second you can loving your little boy, and make sure you’re in his life. He’s going to need someone like you.

—Dave * For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL JANUARY 26, 2011