AU GUST 7, 2 0 1 9 VOL . 1 1 I SS U E 34
# BUGL E N E W S YOUR COMM U N I T Y. YOUR NE WS . IN THI S I SSU E E VENTS
Calendar Events Upcoming events in your area SEE PAGE 4
SP ORTS
Outlaws are coming Cable TV show filming at Route 66 Raceway
SEE PAGE 5
BU SI NESS
Dave Says Dave Ramsey’s Column SEE PAGE 4
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NEWS
YOUR COMMUNIT Y. YOUR NEWS. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
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LOCAL NEWS
Library hosts Smarty Pants and ‘The Big Balloon Show’ More than 100 screaming and laughing kids joined Smarty Pants while learning at the library BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff
@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com Usually, most spouses don’t work together. As for Smarty Pants and his wife Miss Dena, that is not the case. Performing the Big Balloon Show since 2006, the husband and wife duo have been electrifying crowds from all over the grid. “I got started with just making balloon animals for people,” Smarty Pants said. “I felt there was a real connection where the balloons were some kind off innate magic where making something for someone was really a powerful gesture.”
As their latest show was at the Downers Grove Library, the couple who put on more than 100 smiling faces for boys and girls in attendance, wanted to make sure that the show was memorable for those who watched. For the one-hour performance, the very beginning and the very end are the most important acts according to Smarty Pants. At the start of the show, a warm up to establish a connection from Smarty Pants and the kids is vital for the show to work. “Sometimes with kids shows, people have a cold start because you don’t really know each other yet,” Smarty Pants said. “I like to do something
My goal when I leave a library or any show is for kids to just be wowed and to think that it was such an awesome experience, Smarty Pants said. I want kids to be involved with their public library and to understand really cool things can take place at a library. really funny in the beginning so the warm up is really powerful.” After cracking a few jokes and describing what would be taking place for the hour session, Smarty Pants got right into the act.
Mr. Smiles, a giant balloon that opens up the kid’s eyes when seeing it, is something that Smarty Pants said always is a pretty good attention grabber for the kids. Other balloon twisting’s, balloon décor and imagination exercises were utilized to receive the smiling faces from the entire crowd. When approaching the final act of the performance, Smarty Pants said that this has been something where no one has ever seen it before in a act, which kids always seem to enjoy the most. Smarty Pants, with the help of his wife, blows up a balloon that is not just any balloon, but it is six feet long. Not only were the crowd’s facial expressions shocked and wanting more, but Smarty Pants then proceeded to do something no one thought he would.
DUPAGE FOREST PRESERVES
Preserve hosts contest to win experiences, L.L. Bean gear Win exciting outdoor experiences and L.L. Bean gear while discovering DuPage Forest Preserves Visit DuPage forest preserves and share your photos from eight “challenges” for a chance to win exciting experiences and cool outdoor gear in the “DuPage Forest Preserves Discovery Challenge” through Sept. 30. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is teaming up with L.L. Bean in Oak Brook, one of its community partners, to offer this exclusive contest. Participants can choose their challenge, take photos in DuPage forest preserves and submit their photos at dupageforest.org. Winners will be chosen from eligible entries in random drawings on July 1, Aug. 1, Sept. 2, Oct. 1 and Oct. 4. Complete contest rules, entry forms and a gallery of photo submissions are also available at the same contest link. Grand prizes include a camping package with a $250 L.L. Bean gift
MORE INFO Attend an L.L. Bean Clinic. Get ready for your next outdoor adventure by attending a free in-store clinic at L.L. Bean in Oak Brook led by a Forest Preserve District naturalist or ranger. Clinics are Essential Knots for the Outdoors (June 15); Tick Identification and Prevention (July 6); Favorite Local Paddling Spots (July 10 or Aug. 3); Wildlife Tracking 101 (July 20); Basic Map and Compass (Aug. 7); and Birding and Binocular Fundamentals (Aug. 17).
card, tent, sleeping bag, backpack, and weekend stay at the Blackwell Family Campground or a kayak package with kayak, paddle, life jacket and guided kayaking tour. Other prizes include a boat rental at Blackwell Forest Preserve, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour for four of Willowbrook Wildlife Center, a tour for four of Mayslake Peabody Estate and a hands-on
grooming lesson for two at Danada Equestrian Center. The contest has eight challenge activities. Visitors can enter each more than once, but multiple entries for the same challenge must be at different preserves. � Head for the Lake. Discover more than 30 DuPage forest preserve lakes and 45 miles of rivers. � Visit a Special Destination. Visit up to six special DuPage forest preserve destinations with distinct exhibits and buildings that focus on the county’s natural or cultural history. � Go to a Program or Event. Attend one or more of the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s nature-related programs and activities for grownups, kids, families and groups and large special events year-round. � Hit the Trails. Hike, bike or run on 145 miles of DuPage forest preserve trails. � Explore a Natural Area. Discover the woods, prairies, wetlands that are home to diverse native plants and wildlife in the DuPage forest preserves. � Relax! Watch a sunset, listen to the birds, practice yoga, or watch the clouds in a DuPage forest preserve.
Neighboring Sheriff s Cross Party Lines to Combat Narcotic Trafficking and Cyber Sex Crimes DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain had their first of many meetings to come last week. Sheriff Mendrick and Sheriff Hain are crossing party lines to establish new crime fighting collaborations. Initial plans for this alliance aim for both Sheriffs to combine resources to address Cyber Sex Crimes and Narcotics Interdiction. Sheriff Mendrick stated, “The ever present danger of illegal narcotics entering our communities is one of my top concerns. In addition, the continued threat to our children from online sexual predators needs to also be dealt with swiftly and effectively. We will utilize evolving
He climbed in. “Most people haven’t seen a balloon that big never less a grown man climbing into it,” Smarty Pants said. “I can honestly say I’ve never seen someone in the audience who thinks they have seen that before.” After being trapped in the balloon for more than a minute, the audience chants to see Smarty Pants again, and that concluded the show. What followed the show were pictures with the props and Smarty Pants, and kids leaving a library happier than normal. “My goal when I leave a library or any show is for kids to just be wowed and to think that it was such an awesome experience,” Smarty Pants said. “I want kids to be involved with their public library and to understand really cool things can take place at a library.”
investigative and apprehension tactics, along with tried and true investigative tools to aggressively target both sexual predators who use the internet to victimize children and those who traffic narcotics.” Mendrick continued, “By combining resources we enhance our capabilities to protect the citizens of both DuPage and Kane Counties. It’s all about public safety; not politics. I look forward to working with Sheriff Hain and know that this collaboration will make all of our citizens safer.”
Seven Bridges Restaurant Week Coming in August August 8-16 will see the first ever Seven Bridges Restaurant Week. The Village is excited to launch www.dinewoodridge. com – the home to all the information you need about Seven Bridges Restaurant Week. See all the participating restaurants, find out what specials they are running, and most importantly get your tickets to Sample Seven Bridges, our kickoff event on August 8 with all of our participants gathering in Seven Bridges Golf Club to feed you samples and give you prizes. Visit www. dinewoodridge.com for more!
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CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOUR AREA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
DOWNERS GROVE ENJOY FREE LIVE MUSIC ON TUESDAY EVENINGS AT 7 P.M. from May 28 through August 20 at Veterans Memorial Pavilion in Fishel Park, on Grove Street just west of Main Street. Food, wine and beer* will be available for purchase starting at 6 p.m. each week. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, outside food, outside non-alcoholic beverages. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be no more than six feet in length. No outside alcoholic beverages allowed. July 23- Piano Man (Elton John/Billy Joel) July 30- Hillbilly Rockstarz (Country) August 6- Dancing Queen (ABBA) August 13- Fool House (90s hits) August 20- The SyingRays (Rock and roll oldies) JUNE - SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAYS) LISLE FRENCH MARKET. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Prairie Walk Pond, Garfield Avenue just north of Burlington. With an abundance of local farmers, food and artisan vendors in each location, visitors will enjoy a variety of goods in these open-air markets that encourage community to gather, socialize and support small business. Vendors change weekly, so each market is a unique experience. Free parking is available in the Garfield Parking Lot, Main Street and the Commuter Parking Lots off of Burlington Avenue. There is no admission charge, so bring the whole family and friendly pets on a leash are welcome. Diverse offerings include: Artisan crafts, Baked goods, Cheeses, Food, Fresh produce, Home accessories, Jewelry, Knife sharpening, Meats, Olive oils, Pet products and much more. JUNE - OCTOBER 19 (SATURDAYS) DOWNERS GROVE DOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE MARKET. 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Downers Grove Main Street Train Station in the south parking lot off Burlington Avenue. On a typical Saturday you’ll find everything you need to prepare your weekend and weekly meals. Decorate your dinner table or home with fresh cut flowers or potted orchids. If you’re in the mood to shop for yourself or for gifts for others there are a variety of craft vendors. For more information, visit www.ymcachicago.org/indianboundary/ pages/special-events. WOODRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM. Sponsored by the Northern IL Food Bank and the West Suburban Community Pantry. Mondays and Thursdays, June 3 through August 8. Library Story & Craft, 11:30 a.m. – Noon. Lunch, Noon – 1 p.m. Location: Woodridge Library, 2nd Floor. The goal of this lunch program is to support local students and families throughout the summer with the opportunity to have a healthy meal, and for families to learn about pantry support services, as well as library services, resources and programs.
COLUMN >> DAVE SAYS BY DAVE RAMSEY
Stick with building emergency fund, especially if growing family With another person in the house, your day-to-day expenses are going to increase Q. My husband and I have been married five years, and we ve decided we want to have children. We ve both been working full time since our wedding, and we were wondering if we should adjust our
emergency fund and retirement investing to accommodate all the upcoming life changes that go along with having a bigger family. A. When it comes to an emer-
gency fund, I’d stick with what I recommend in the Baby Steps. A good emergency fund of three to six months of expenses should be fine. If you feel safer leaning toward the six-month side, that’s fine. As far as investing is concerned, that’s Baby Step 4. This means 15 percent of your household income going to-
ward retirement. None of that really changes. Now, with another person in the house, your day-to-day expenses are going to increase. That’ll make it even more important to make sure you’re living on a written monthly budget. What you don’t want to do is quit your job to come home and be a
full-time mom, then find yourselves dipping into the emergency fund. Being a stay-at-home mom is fine. It’s a wonderful thing if you can afford it. But if that’s the plan you need to budget accordingly, and practice living on just your husband’s income before you quit your job.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
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LOCAL
OUTLAWS Street Outlaws coming to Joliet s Route 66 Raceway this weekend BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff
@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com
On August 9-10, the No. 1 rated cable television show “Street Outlaws” is coming to shoot their reality television show at Route 66 Raceway. With 13 seasons to date, with the first show airing June 10, 2013, “Street Outlaws” has taken the country by storm. An American reality television series about street racing, it provides an inside look into the action both on the road and behind the scenes. In Oklahoma City, racers proclaim having the fastest streetcars in the entire country, and the racing, drivers say, comes first before family friends and work. Some of the cast includes: Big Chief, Ryan Martin, Daddy Dave, Jeff Lutz, Murder Nova, Doc, Monza, Chuck, Dominator and Shane, and for one in particular, the op-
COURTESY OF JEFF LUTZ
Street Outlaws will be filming an episode at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet. portunity to shoot at Route 66 is a pretty awesome experience. “Route 66 is one of the world class facilities,” Lutz said. “As a driver of a drag car I absolutely want to go because of the facility, the people and it’s always been a dream of mine.” Lutz drives a 1957 Chevy Race Car that he has been racing for three years, and he said that there
is a reason why the show is the top-ranked show on television. “I firmly believe it is the No.1 ranked television show right now because of the cars and how relatable they are,” Lutz said. “A lot of these cars you even see on the road today, so it relates more to the people who watch and love our show.” Getting the opportunity to meet
your favorite driver, get autographs as well as every pass being a pit pass, getting t-shirts and other apparel are all reasons Lutz said families and fans should come out Friday and Saturday. On Friday at 1 p.m., gates and pits open early for Mega Fan/I want it all VIP ticket holders. At 2 p.m., gates open for all ticket holders, and at 5p.m., racing starts.
Saturday, at 8:30 a.m., gates will open early again for Mega Fan/I want it all VIP tickets holders. Followed by that, at 9:30 a.m. the gates will open for all ticket holders, and at 12 p.m., racing starts. “This is going to be an insane show that all fans and even people who haven’t seen us before are going to want to see,” Lutz said. “We can’t wait.”
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