FEBRUARY 25, 2016 VOL. 60 ISSUE 21 Featured Sports
haWK JuNIor adVaNCes to fINal daY of state boWlINg meet >> see page 7
NEWS
School Security
City clears way for District 64 vestibule renovations see page 2
NEWS
State pen pal
Moylan responds to Park Ridge letter regarding state budget battle see page 2
FORUM Mayor’s Message
Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo writes open letter to residents see page 5
BUSINESS Dave Says
Ethical dilemma at work will affect performance
see page 11
SENIORS Swing into Spring Free vision screening to be offered at Niles senior expo
see page 13
pHoto By iGoR StUDenKoV | BUGle StaFF
Village of niles considering cuts to planned public works projects in order to balance the budget.
Thursday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
City clears way for District 64 renovations Goal to add security layer at schools By Igor Studenkov bugle staff
nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews
The Park Ridge City Council cast the first of the two votes required to approve Park Ridge-Niles District 64’s special-use permits to expand the lobbies of Lincoln Middle School, Field Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School. As previously reported by the Bugle, the district is looking to modify the lobbies in its schools to make them more secure. As the city attorney explained during the Feb. 15 meeting, Park Ridge doesn’t have much say over school construction plans – that responsibility falls to the state. But when a school building is looking to expand its footprint, it must obtain a specialuse permit. The vote is only the first step in the process, which requires the city council to hold a second reading to make the approval final. The city would then vote to approve the actual building permits. For more than a year, the school district has discussed the idea of securing school vestibules. The
Dimensions of vestibules • • •
Lincoln’s lobby would be 395 square feet Roosevelt’s would be 820 square feet Field’s would be measuring 1,145 square feet
goal of the project was to not only create more secure entrance lobbies, but to put administrative and nursing offices closer to the entrances. The goal of the project was to create an additional layer of security by creating a physical barrier between people entering the school and the school itself. Superintendent Laurie Heinz said the new lobbies would allow staff to screen out sexual predators, people who come to schools intending to inflict violence, and disgruntled parents and teachers. It would also help the schools enforce restraining orders and custody agreements. According to the plans submitted to the city, the new lobbies would be relatively small. Lincoln’s lobby would be 395 square feet, Roosevelt’s would be 820 square feet, and Field’s would be the
largest of the three, measuring 1,145 square feet. The renderings submitted to the city showed that the addition designs would have the similar architectural style as the buildings. Lincoln’s new entrance would have an arch similar to the shape of the building windows, while Field’s would have a triangular roof and rectangular windows. Kerry Leonard, an architect with FGM, told the city council that the project is expected to start as soon as the school year ends. District 64 contracted FGM for the project. Leonard said all three projects will take place simultaneously, and the district hopes that they would be finished before the next school year begins. Sixth Ward Ald. Marc Mazzuca asked whether the Park Ridge Police Department was consulted on the district’s security measures. Police Chief Frank Kaminski said the district had talked to him, and while he couldn’t remember all the details off the top of his head, he didn’t recall having any issues with their plan. “I was very pleased with what they were doing,” he said. “The staff architects seemed pretty competent.”
Rep. Moylan responds to city’s letter about state budget impasse Former Des Plaines mayor says municipal fund is important By Igor Studenkov bugle staff
nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews
Two days after Acting Mayor Marty Maloney and City Manager Shawn Hamilton sent a letter to Gov. Bruce Rauner and several local elected officials urging them not to reduce the city’s share of the Local Government Distributive Fund, one official wrote back. During the Jan. 18 city council meeting, Hamilton outlined a plan if the state cut Park Ridge’s share of the LGDF. The fund takes 8 percent of the state income tax revenue and splits it between all Illinois municipalities based on population. In their letter, which was sent Feb. 8, Hamilton and
Rep. Martin Moylan D-Des Plaines
Maloney submitted a copy of the contingency plan and urged the elected officials to keep that information in mind as they continue to resolve the budget impasse. On Feb. 10, state Rep. Martin Moylan, D-Des Plaines, responded to the letter. He wrote that he has been trying to balance the interests of municipalities and taxpayers. “While I work to balance the budget, my ultimate priority remains providing tax relief for hard-working, middleclass families,” Moylan wrote.
see impasse | page 4
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T h ur sday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
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cover story >> niles Factors and fixes
Village looks to reduce expenses, increase revenue due to projected deficit Vinezeano and Neukirch said using reserves wasn’t a good long-range approach. Both said they will continue to look for ways to cut costs while the final budget is being developed. Neukirch also revealed two pieces of news that could have a tangible impact on Niles residents. The proposed budget includes funding for the long-awaited Cleveland Avenue flood mitigation project. But perhaps more importantly, the budget includes provisions for potential new tax increment financing districts along the sections of Milwaukee Avenue near the intersections with Harlem Avenue, Oakton Street and Dempster Street. Neukirch said the details of the proposed new TIFs are still being developed, and the board will get the first look at the proposal within the next 2-3 months.
By Igor Studenkov bugle staff
nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews
In spite of efforts by the village of Niles to reduce spending, its preliminary budget for the next fiscal year still projects an almost $4.2 million deficit. During the Feb. 15 Niles Finance Committee meeting, Village Manager Steve Vinezeano and Finance Director Scott Neukirch presented the first draft of the fiscal 2017 budget, which starts in June 2016. The budget assumes that the village’s share of state fund will be reduced, but it didn’t take into account ambulance fee revenues that were higher than expected because village officials weren’t aware of the revenue at the time. Currently, Niles has enough funds in reserves to cover the deficit, but
Proposed TIFs While discussing the state of Niles TIF funds, Neukirch mentioned something that could affect the way the tax revenue is spent – a “Milwaukee TIF” subdivided into three areas (Harlem, Dempster and Oakton). “[It’s] three separate potential TIFs,” he said. “If those are passed, they’ll be their own individual TIFs.” In the Jan. 14 state of the village address, Przybylo mentioned that he wanted to establish “enterprise zones” around the intersections of Milwaukee and Dempster,
Milwaukee and Oakton, and Milwaukee and Waukegan Road. He told the Bugle that the zones would encourage development, but he specifically said the incentives wouldn’t involve taxpayer money.
‘enterprise zones’ • • •
Milwaukee and Dempster Milwaukee and Oakton Milwaukee and Waukegan Road
Neukirch said that the details of the potential TIFs are still being developed, and he expects staff to bring the proposal before the village board in March or April. The preliminary budget will go
According to the two officials, the deficit is driven by a number of factors – some of which are beyond the village’s control. Salary increases and many other employee-related costs are tied to union contracts that can’t be changed until they expire. Because Lucky McGee’s bar, which offered off-track betting, closed in late January, Niles is projected to lose $255,000 in OTB revenue. Revenues from fines and traffic tickets have also been down. The preliminary budget calls for a $6.3 million contribution to Niles police and fire pension funds. As previously reported by the Bugle, the actuaries contracted by the village recommended that the village contribute more than legally required because it would make paying off the $77.5 million in unfunded liabilities by 2040 less expensive. The village would use $2 million in reserve funds, $837,000 in sales tax revenue and Post Office lease payments to help cover the contribution. Finally, the budget was calculated with an assumption that Niles’ share of the Local Government Distributive Fund would be reduced by 25 percent, or about $750,000. In his 2016 budget proposal, Gov. Bruce Rauner called for reducing the share by half, which would cost Niles $1.48 million. While Vinezeano emphasized that the village didn’t know whether there would be any reductions, he wanted there to
through two workshops, which will take place on March 14 and March 16. A March 23 workshop has been scheduled just in case the trustees need more time. After the workshops are completed, the revised version of the budget will be made publicly available in April. The village board is expected to hold a public hearing on the budget in May and approve the final version during its regular May meeting. Garard told the Bugle that village staff would continue tinkering with the budget before it reaches the workshops.
be a contingency plan, just in case. Niles Director of Communications Hayley Garard told the Bugle that Rauner’s recent 2017 budget proposal didn’t include LGDF cuts, which prompted Neukirch to put the $750,000 back in the budget. The proposed budget outlined a number of major and minor capital projects. The long-awaited Cleveland Avenue project, which is designed to reduce flooding in eastern Niles, would be funded by grants and an $8.8 million loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The village would use sales tax revenue to cover loan-related expenses.
The deficit is driven by a number of factors: • • • •
Union salary increases Losing OTB revenue Contribution to pension funds Potential decrease in Local Government Distributive Fund
Improvements to Fire Station No. 3, which is located at 6611 Jarvis St., will use funds from the recently created Gross PointTouhy TIF. And, on a smaller scale, the village would make alley repairs using reserves from the street and bridge fund. After finance committee members received the copies of the proposal, Vinezeano and Neukirch worked to find ways to reduce the deficit. As Neukirch explained, some of those changes reduced the deficit without actually making cuts. “It wasn’t necessary that things were removed from the budget – they were relocated to
appropriate funds,” he said. Neukirch explained that while the general fund can be used for any village expense, other funds have more specific purposes. So long as the expenses fit that purpose, they could be moved around. He also said that projects that are eligible for TIF funding – such as the previously announced Leaning Tower of Niles repairs – will be covered by those funds. In some cases, the proposed budget makes actual cuts. According to Neukirch, many of those cuts would come from postponing public buildings and public works projects. The village has been looking to reduce costs through energy efficiency programs and using more volunteers. Vinezeano said the village has been encouraging employees whose spouses have health insurance coverage to switch to that rather than stay with the village’s insurance plan. At the same time, the village is looking for ways to increase revenue. Neukirch said the recently formed Niles Economic Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee has considered a number of options, including levying an amusement tax, increasing advertising on village owned bus shelters and benches, increasing the Local Motor Fuel Tax, and legalizing video gambling. The later proved to be a contentious proposal when it was last raised in 2014. Mayor Andrew Przybylo quietly dropped the proposal a few months later due to vocal opposition.
www.cookcountycrimestoppers.org • 800.535.stop Thursday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
community bulletin >> morton grove
Police Department to hold citizens police academy Classes will be given on topics such as history of department, hiring process, crime prevention A citizens police academy will run for 10 weeks, two hours a class, starting March 22 and ending May 24. The citizens police academy is a 10-week program, one block of instruction per week, designed to give participants an understanding of the operation of the Morton Grove Police Department and a working knowledge of law enforcement. The academy classes are held once a week, every Tuesday, and are approximately two hours in duration.
The classes will be held at the Morton Grove Police Department from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and each class will be limited to 25 students. There is no cost for residents to participate. Each class will provide an overview of various areas of law enforcement. Classes will be given on topics such as the history of the Morton Grove Police Department, qualifications and the hiring process, patrol functions and DUI enforcement, gang and drug information, and
The following items were compiled from the official reports of the Niles, Park Ridge and Morton Grove police departments. Appearing in the police blotter does not constitute a finding of guilt, only a court of law can make that determination.
was arrested at 6:48 p.m. Feb. 8 at Rand and Minor in Des Plaines for suspended or revoked driver’s license.
Niles Jesus Alcazar-Calleja, 20, 9000 block of Cumberland, Niles, was arrested at 12:21 a.m. Feb. 15 at Root and Elizabeth for driving under the influence and no valid license.
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Chinzong Batbayar, 33, 900 block of Lawrence, Chicago, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Feb. 16 at Golf Mill Shopping Center for retail theft.
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Solongo Tsobayar, 22, 900 block of Lawrence, Chicago, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Feb. 16 at Golf Mill Shopping Center for retail theft.
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Park Ridge
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Damianos Savvakis, 47, 775 Victoria, Des Plaine,
impasse | from page 2 “Illinois needs to do everything we can to ease the tax burden on middle class families, but I also
Kyle Michael Burchett, 24, 3111 Aspen, Portage, Indiana, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Feb. 12 in the 1000 block of North Northwest Highway for disorderly conduct.
Class Topics • • • • • •
History of The Morton Grove Police Department Qualifications/hiring process Communications Laws of arrest, search, and seizure Patrol Functions, DUI enforcement Traffic enforcement practicals
crime prevention. Several demonstrations will take place during the academy, in which attendees will be allowed to participate. The academy will conclude with a graduation ceremony, and each participant will receive a certificate of completion. Additionally, the citizens police
Sergio Salgago, 46, 2801 Dempster, Park Ridge, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Manor and Potter for no valid driver’s license and following too closely.
Investigations Gang/Drug Information Presentation and hands on evidence processing experience Optional Ride-a-long Crime Prevention Gun Laws/Safety, practice shooting Information on special units (N.I.P.A.S., Mobil Field Force unit)
• • • •
academy provides an opportunity for citizens to develop direct lines of communication with the police department. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the village of Morton Grove. They must be of good moral character with no felony convictions. There will be a criminal history review
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• • •
conducted on each applicant prior to acceptance into the academy. An application for the academy must be completed and signed, along with a waiver of liability. Individuals will be notified when they are accepted into the academy. Applications can be picked up at the Morton Grove Police Department or downloaded online through the village of Morton Grove website on the Morton Grove Police Department’s page. For any questions or further information, contact the community liaison officers at glietz@mortongroveil.org or atabor@mortongroveil.org, or by calling 847-470-5200.
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Morton Grove Hector A. Felix-Diaz, 41, Glenview, was arrested Feb. 4 in the 7300 block of Dempster for a warrant.
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Rajaii Nahhas, 29, Morton Grove, was arrested Feb. 5 in the 7100 block of Church for possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Husam Nahhas, 21, Morton Grove, was arrested Feb. 5 in the 7100 block of Church for manufacturing or delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis and
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remain committed to seeing that municipal governments get their fair share of the funding.” As a former alderman and mayor of Des Plaines, Moylan said he appreciated the importance of
possession of drug paraphernalia.
and Major for DUI.
Jose Morales, 30, Chicago, was
Alejandro Magdaleno, 42, Morton Grove, was arrested
the LGDF, but he wasn’t sure his colleagues would feel the same way. “Unfortunately, just last year the governor and members of the General Assembly agreed to
sweep some special funds, and it’s possible this could happen again,” Moylan wrote. He concluded that he was available to discuss the issue with Maloney and Hamilton. During the Feb. 15 meeting, the
10 arrested Feb. 8 at Dempster 11
Feb. 14 in the 8800 block of Meade for violation of an order of protection.
acting mayor said he appreciated Moylan’s letter. “I appreciate the response from Rep. Moylan,” said Maloney. “He’s the only representative who responded.”
Send us your feedback at nweditor@buglenewspapers.com
T h ur sday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
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guest column > oPinion
Open letter to the residents of Niles editorial
Submitted By Andrew Przybylo Mayor, village of Niles
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We are in changing times as shown by our slow economic growth and stagnant private industry wages. However, our village is strong and we intend to keep it strong. I would like to reiterate a few main points from the state of the union address I delivered in January, as it goes to the heart of what I see is my mission as your elected mayor. In the 24 years I’ve served our village as a trustee, the board and mayor have done everything possible to keep existing services HIGH and taxes LOW. This goal guides me daily in my duties as mayor. Our village provides the finest services, second to none including our police and fire departments, and our public works department, which is commended weekly by citizens for its service. However, our village provides many other unique services related to health, fitness and economic/social well-being. Our Niles Senior Center, under the leadership of Kelly Mickle, empowers seniors through community engagement, wellness programs, volunteerism and lifelong learning. In the coming year, the center will offer increased evening and weekend events/ programs. The Niles Family Fitness Center, guided by Carl Maniscalco, is a premier facility providing quality health and fitness programs. The coming year will bring unique programming that will drive up memberships. The Niles Teen Center, directed by Mark Williams, provides a welcoming, structured and safe environment for local teens to play games, socialize and receive homework assistance. Going forward, staff will help teens with social and personality disorders. OurNilesFamilyServicesDepartment, led by Tony Hollenback, provides a full array of professional social welfare
services – from economic counseling to social disorder modification. Most recently, family services has provided stress relief techniques to our Niles police officers. You should know that funding the departments above is largely a function of our sales tax revenue. Our sales tax revenue, while exceedingly strong, is of concern. Niles has a Costco, two WalMarts, two Targets, two Home Depots and several large shopping centers. But in an era of greater e-commerce, what is the shelf life of the big box stores? I try to imagine a Niles budget without the large shopping centers, simply because our global economy is uncertain. Accordingly, this elected administration is focused on growth of our smaller retail venues. Recently, we created the Gross Point Touhy TIF District that encompasses 80 acres primed for repurposing. Anchored by the half-sized replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, we envision an entertainment center with the additional cultural element being a concert venue. Possibly, we could see a hotel, boutique shops, multi-family residences, restaurants, a new YMCA and an award winning park. All of these elements above will provide for greater sales taxes in the future, guaranteeing that Niles residents will keep their excellent services with lowest possible property taxes. As there are some that may not understand tax increment financing, I would be happy to hold a special board meeting to address any concerns. No residential property taxes will be used
*a recent survey of 12 local municipalities shows all have in place state of Illinois statute authority allowing for mayoral appointment to fill board vacancies, with board approval.
guest column >> tHinKing about HelatH
Changing guidelines label more people as ‘diabetic’
facebook.com/thebuglenewspapers twitter.com/buglenewspapers instagram.com/buglenewspapers EdItOR’S NOtE: the opinions expressed in guest columns, editorial cartoons and letters to the editor belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the the Bugle or its staff.
anDReW pRZyBylo Mayor of niles
to fund changes to the Leaning Tower or its surrounding land. Lastly, there is a referendum to restore to Niles the law that the state of Illinois enacted in 1961, which enables local government to function in the event that there are three vacancies on the board of trustees. Currently, if a trustee were to pass away, another to resign and a third to get seriously ill, our village could not function in an emergency. For example, if a tornado touched down and the village board needed to sign a contract for emergency generators, it could not do so. Conversely, some say that to restore Illinois law is to usurp democratic principles with crony politics. They may find the preservation of life and property comes second to waiting to elect trustees in the next regular election – perhaps a wait up to two years. My fellow citizens, consider these two opposing views very carefully. Remember, that should the village board affirm emergency appointments, those appointed trustees will stand before the voters in the next election, to be affirmed or rejected. Democracy will prevail when you vote YES to restore emergency appointment authority to the village board and the mayor.* Closing, we are bringing arts and culture to the forefront in Niles and have formed the Arts & Culture Council. Also, the Sister Cities Program has been reorganized, and I am pleased to announce the next Taste of Sister Cities, which will take place March 19. Besides all the terrific food, there will be entertainment, children’s games and best of all, the time to celebrate your heritage as an ethnic American. Tickets are available at village hall, the Niles Family Fitness Center, Niles Senior Center and Kappy’s American Grill.
By trudy lieberman rurAl heAlth neWS ServIce
A few months ago came some alarming health news. “Diabetes nation? Half of Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes,” screamed a Los Angeles Times headline. WebMD weighed in with “Diabetes a Concern for Half of Americans.” NBC News announced, “Half of Americans Have Diabetes or High Blood Sugar.”
What was missing from these stories was the fact that the definition of who has the disease has been expanding, and a new disease called pre-diabetes has arisen from the changing definitions. That means, of course, that more people will get costly drugs
see health | page 15
FoR WHEN you WaNT To TaKE 5 minutes FoR youRSElF Thursday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
Aries
MArCh 21 TO APrIL 20
Get that heart rate up. Find ways to release pent up energy and clear your mind for the upcoming week ahead. Make sure to leave your schedule flexible as romantic interludes could suddenly pop up without warning.
gemini
M AY 2 2 T O j U N E 2 1
Find your support group. You’ll find that those who care about you the most will provide the enthusiasm you need to get your ideas off of the ground. A significant other may make the rest of the world seem to stand still later in the week.
leo
j U LY 2 3 T O A U g U s T 2 1
Family comes first. Schedule time to pay attention to loved ones as work may take up too much of your time this week. If someone approaches you for advice, be helpful and enthusiastic as criticism could be poisonous.
Across 1 ExPLOsIvE sOUND 5 OUTEr __ 10 NOT EvEN AjAr 14 “bOrN TO DIE” sINgEr/ sONgWrITEr DEL rEY 15 sTADIUM DIvIsIONs 16 sON OF LEAh 17 “YOU’rE LIvINg IN ThE PAsT,” NOWADAYs 20 FLOWEr CELEbrATED IN AN ANNUAL OTTAWA FEsTIvAL 21 MOvE ThE bOAT, IN A WAY 22 PAINTINg OPTION 23 LIKE A TYPICAL FArMEr’s MArKET 25 “gOTChA!” 26 “YOU CAN’T gO ThErE,” NOWADAYs 32 PEACE NObELIsT sAKhArOv 35 ELIjAh bLUE’s MOM 36 __ DE COEUr: IMPAssIONED PLEA 37 “gONE WITh ThE WIND” sETTINg 38 “WhEW!” 39 sIT A sPELL 40 ThE PAC-12’s bEAvErs 41 EgO 43 CITrINE Or AMEThYsT 45 “NObODY CAN gO ThErE,” NOWADAYs 48 A bObbsEY TWIN 49 sTOPs 53 EArLY NEW ZEALAND sETTLEr 56 “sOMEThINg __, sOMEThINg ...” 58 bUg 59 “NEvEr hEArD OF YOU,” NOWADAYs 62 CINCh 63 sCI-FI sTAPLE 64 gOLF shOT 65 brETON, E.g. 66 bAND TOUr sTOP,
PErhAPs 67 bUILDINg ADDITIONs
Down 1 OLIvE OYL PUrsUEr 2 EAgErLY CONsUME 3 ONE WITh DEgrEEs? 4 sAUCE OF sOUThErN ITALY 5 NOrM: Abbr. 6 CAPITAL ENE OF CUsTEr 7 PrEFIx WITh 5-ACrOss 8 INTErCOLLEgIATE sPOrT 9 LAWYEr’s LETTErs 10 MOCCAsIN, FOr ONE 11 MAN ArOUND ThE hAUs 12 LAYEr IN ThE EYE 13 CONsIDErAbLE 18 POsThAsTE 19 EsCOrT 24 “hErE,” ON METrO MAPs 25 “__ TO bILLIE jOE” 27 ACT ThE CYNIC 28 COMINg UP shOrT 29 bAKErY sPECIALIsT 30 bEFOrE, TO A bArD 31 sCATTErbrAIN 32 ON ThE hIghEsT
POINT OF 33 APOLLO’s CrEATOr 34 PhArMACOPEIA LIsTINg 38 AbbrEvIATION ON A LUNCh MENU 39 sPLENDOr 41 gAsTrOPOD FOr A gOUrMET 42 gEOChrONOLOgICAL sPAN 43 “¿__ PAsA?” 44 ThrEE-TIME INDY WINNEr bObbY 46 TrANsPOrTED 47 FAvOrED TO WIN 50 “60 MINUTEs” rEgULAr 51 srI LANKAN LANgUAgE 52 WhAT A PEDOMETEr COUNTs 53 CATChALL FILE Abbr. 54 ArChEr OF “FATAL ATTrACTION” 55 COMMON FACE shAPE 56 rEDOLENCE 57 jIFFY __ 60 “sCIENCE FrIDAY” rADIO hOsT FLATOW 61 grEEK “h”
librA
sEPTEMbEr 24 TO OCTObEr 23
Bury the hatchet. There’s no point in allowing ill feelings to fester. You can improve everyone’s mood by taking steps towards reconciliation. Matters of romance and relationships may take precedent as the week progresses.
sAgittArius
NOvEMbEr 23 TO DECEMbEr 22
Play it cool. Don’t allow someone to get under your skin this week as this may be precisely the reaction they were looking for. Find constructive outlets to blow off steam such as sports or tackling chores around the house.
AquArius
jANUArY 21 TO FEbrUArY 19
A well-tended garden blooms best. Don’t expect projects to become rousing successes unless you have provided the proper care and attention to making them work. Romantic prospects are likely to improve in the week ahead.
Sudoku
tAurus
A P r I L 2 1 T O M AY 2 1
Have it your way. You are able to use your charms and wiles to get nearly anyone to fall into line. Put your social acumen to good use by reconciling differences, asking for favors or making new acquaintances this week.
cAncer
j U N E 2 2 T O j U LY 2 2
Stick to your convictions this week. Don’t back down when it comes to letting others know where you stand on specific issues. Avoid getting too deep into conversations involving subjects of which you have little or no knowledge.
virgo
AUgUsT 22 TO sEPTEMbEr 23
Don’t compromise your values. In the heat of the moment, you may feel compelled to say or do something that goes against everything that you’ve been taught. Steer clear of confrontations in the week to come.
scorpio
OCTObEr 24 TO NOvEMbEr 22
Nothing stands in the way of progress. No matter if you take baby steps or giant leaps forward you get closer to achieving your goal. Don’t shrug off a commitment or promise this week just because you don’t think it’s important.
cApricorn
DECEMbEr 23 TO jANUArY 20
May the force be with you. Just have a little faith that the universe is working with you and not against you, and everything will turn out for the best this week. Someone may be willing to help more than you anticipated.
pisces
FEbrUArY 20 TO MArCh 20
The means don’t always justify the ends. Giving simply to help out those in need is a wonderful thing, while giving to receive kudos is not quite as admirable. Ethical questions may seem irrelevant but could impact the future.
Jumble
Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2016
PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS
PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS
PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS
Jumbles:
• KNACK • TYPED • MUFFLE • POLICY
Answer:
WhY ThE bOOKKEEPEr rECEIvED A rAIsE -- hE “COUNTED”
Thursday, February 25, 2016
page 7
>> INSIDE: Wrestlers come up short of state medals page 8
bowling
star
Hawk junior advances to final day of state bowling meet
By Scott Taylor sports editor
staylor@enterprisepublications.com @Taylor_Sports
CHERRY VALLEY – Bowling as an individual is a hard chore for any bowler at the state meet. For one that has never had a team from the start, it is even harder. That is because while all of the teams bowl tournaments throughout the year, those individuals who don’t have teams don’t get to bowl in high school tournaments and don’t get a taste of the environment until at the regional, sectional and state levels. That was the case for Maine South’s Victoria Odarczenko, who advanced to the state meet last weekend at Cherry Bowl. “It was good,” Odarczenko said. “It was interesting and it was loud. It is weird as an individual because I have nobody else to talk to except for my coach and my parents sometimes. It is just weird. I know maybe one or two other girls here and they may be at one end and I’m at the other.”
194
12-game average for Maine South’s Odarczenko
Odarczenko overcame the challenges to advance to the final day at the meet as one of 30 individual finalists not on the 12 final teams. In the end she finished in 66th place with a 12-game total of 2,332, a 194.3 average. Her high series came Friday afternoon when she shot 662 to advance to Saturday. “I felt like I did awesome,” Odarczenko said. “I struggled at the beginning but then I stepped my game up. I wasn’t nervous at all. I missed some spares early. In the afternoon I made sure I hit my mark every time.” She was proud of how she bowled in representing the Hawks. “It is a big deal (to make it to day two),” she said. “I wanted to go far. I’m representing Maine South and I was hoping I made it.” Odarczenko advanced to state after winning the sectional championship by shooting a 1,393. “Nobody knew me but it was nice to be a sectional champion,”
see south | page 10
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high game of tournament for odarczenko
photo by scott taylor
Maine South’s Victoria Odarczenko shot a 2,332 at the state meet.
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Thursday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
wrestling
PHOTO BY mark gregory
Notre Dame’s Jake Barzowski went 1-2 at the state meet last weekend.
Wrestlers come up short of being all-state at meet Boys basketball playoff pairings released By Mark Gregory sports reporter
mark@buglenewspapers.com @Hear_The_Beard
The Niles area was well represented at the state individual wrestling meet. At 138 pounds, Notre Dame’s Jake Barzowski (41-3) won his opening match over Michael Peters of Quincy by a 3-2 decision. Barzowski then fell in the quarterfinal by a 5-2 decision to Jimmy McAuliffe of Reavis and lost 6-4 to Keegan Powers of Rockton Hononegah. His brother, Josh, was also eliminated in his third match. Josh (33-9) opened with a 2-1 win
over Marist’s Kyle Karpinski. He then fell 5-1 to Trevell Timmons of Lockport before getting pinned in 2 minutes, 54 seconds by Jake Meyer of Barrington. At 220, Tom Simon (32-16) fell 3-0 to Plainfield South’s Eric Johnson and was then pinned in 33 seconds by Frank Walsh of Lyons in his elimination match. “We didn’t do as well as we had hoped,” Notre Dame coach Auggie Genovesi said. “They ran into some tough kids.” Maine South’s Ibrahim Nasir won his first match 8-3 over Dewayne Hill of Belleville East before falling 12-6 to Fremd’s Alex Jacobs and was pinned in 1:25 to Brandon Purnell of Simeon.
GYMNASTICS Freshman Caleigh Pistorius finished Friday’s preliminary in the vault tied for the 12th best score with a score of 9.425, while junior Sara Ignoffo scored a 9.375 in vault. The duo also competed in the floor exercise, with Pistorius scoring a 9.20 and Ignoffo an 8.850.
BASKETBALL The boys basketball state playoff pairings were recently released. Notre Dame is the No. 4 seed in the Class 4A Glenbrook South Sectional and set to compete in the Loyola Academy Regional. The Dons open regional play at
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T h ur sday, Fe bruary 25, 2016 | bug lenewspapers.com | Pag e 9
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Thursday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
FeAturIng
Erin Eulitz
plaINfIeld CeNtral VolleYball
What do you use Twitter for? I use it to promote people to come to high school events and the themes for football games. of course to let people know when volleyball games are.
Who do you like to follow on Twitter? mostly my friends and teammates. I follow the big 10 and Ncaa
Volleyball and my college, presbyterian college.
How often are you on Twitter? maybe 30 minutes to an hour a day. mostly at night after homework.
How often do you tweet? more during school season than club because I have more time to be social.
BOYS BBALL Points Per Game K. Krieger, Plainfield North J. Jackson, JCA J. Butler, Minooka J. Arenas, Maine South A. Becar, Notre Dame M. Cappelletti, Romeoville T. Bell, Joliet West Domin, Westmont S. Gustafson, Plainfield Central N. Akenten, Bolingbrook Fuller, Joliet Central E. Goss, Plainfield East Anderson, Westmont L. Roberts, Minooka S. Ebersold, Downers South D. Alibegovic, Downers South J. Windt, Plainfield Central Grubbs, Joliet Central B. Perry, Maine South T. Clifford, Downers South L. Stamps, Romeoville T. Kirk, Joliet West D. Sobelewski, Benet J. Dockery, Benet J. Malonga, Benet H. Thompson, Plainfield North T. Digan, Maine South J. Reed, Plainfield East L. Higgins, Plainfield East Rebounds Per Game B. Perry, Maine South E. Goss, Plainfield East Domin, Westmont Fuller, Joliet Central K. Krieger, Plainfield North M. Cappelletti, Romeoville T. Bell, Joliet West N. Akenten, Bolingbrook J. Butler, Minooka J. Arenas, Maine South D. Sobelewski, Benet T. Clifford, Downers South
22.9 19.4 18.0 16.2 16.0 15.4 14.9 13.9 13.7 13.6 13.3 13.2 13.0 13.0 12.7 12 12 11.8 11.7 11.5 11.4 11.3 11 11 11 10.9 10.6 10.3 10.1 11.5 11.0 10.4 9.0 9.0 7.9 7.9 7.3 7.0 6.7 6.5 6.4
south | from page 7
JolIet toWnShIP hS @JthS_204 Two championships in one month! What will the rest of the year bring? #tigerpride Benet redWIIngS @BenetredWIIngS Congrats to our Lady Redwings! Defeated Plainfield East 78-56 for the REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! BengAl WreStlIng @PehS_WreStlIng So proud of @krause_zach and the career he had for Plainfield East wrestling! Best of luck in the future! #meantough PNHS ATHLETICS �@PNHSAD “Marcus Povlick becomes the 1st All-State wrestler and state place winner in PNHS history! Great job Marcus!”
Odarczenko said. “It was my best tournament. It was great to bowl my best by the end of the year. Hopefully next year I can make it back here and do even better.” The Resurrection team advanced to the state meet, but came up just short of being one of the top 12 advancers to make finals after sitting in the top 10 in the afternoon. However, the Bandits did have an individual qualifier for finals in Olivia Canova. “It was kind of intimidating to see all the girls here, but I had a great experience for my last year of bowling in high school,” Canova said. “I think I could have done
short | from page 8 6 p.m. March 1 against the winner of No. 14 Waukegan and No. 20 Maine West. A win would likely put them up against No. 5 New Trier in the regional final March 4 at 7 p.m. Maine South is the No. 6 seed in the Glenbrook South Sectional
A. D’Avanzo, Notre Dame E. Ward, Joliet West Z. Grady, Bolingbrook Grubbs, Joliet Central S. Gustafson, Plainfield Central A. Becar, Notre Dame J. Dockery, Benet Assists L. Simon, Notre Dame T. Kirk, Joliet West S. Ebersold, Downers South Leagogo, Westmont J. Arenas, Maine South V. Tarello, Plainfield East J. Jackson, JCA D. Heckard, Romeoville R. Elias, Plainfield North L. Roberts, Minooka M. Salter, Romeoville H. Davis, JCA L. Stamps, Romeoville T. Sims, Joliet Central D. Sobelewski, Benet N. Foldvary, Maine South D. Sams, Bolingbrook E. Ward, Joliet West J. Reed, Plainfield East Anderson, Westmont T. Spencer, Downers South Steals R. Elias, Plainfield North L. Stamps, Romeoville Domin, Westmont J. Butler, Minooka K. Krieger, Plainfield North J. Arenas, Maine South M. Smith, Joliet West Grubbs, Joliet Central E. Ward, Joliet West E. Creal, Joliet West T. Kirk, Joliet West E. Goss, Plainfield East S. Ebersold, Downers South N. Akenten, Bolingbrook
6.0 5.5 5.4 5.2 5.1 5.0 5 70 70 44 43 43 42 40 39 38 37 37 36 34 32 30 30 29 29 28 27 25 36 26 25 24 24 22 21 20 20 19 18 18 18 18
Fuller, Joliet Central Z. Jarosz, Plainfield North J. Yesufu, Bolingbrook T. Digan, Maine South M. Salter, Romeoville L. Stamps, Romeoville M. Lilijak, Maine South L. Higgins, Plainfield East Field Goal % R. Johnson, Romeoville A. D’Avanzo, Notre Dame B. Perry, Maine South Domin, Westmont L. Higgins, Plainfield East T. Clifford, Downers South E. Ward, Joliet West M. Lilijak, Maine South S. Ebersold, Downers South E. Creal, Joliet West T. Bell, Joliet West J. Windt, Plainfield Central Anderson, Westmont Free Throw % T. Digan, Maine South V. Tarello, Plainfield East Anderson, Westmont D. Anderson, Bolingbrook T. Spencer, Downers South J. Butler, Minooka L. Roberts, Minooka D. Alibegovic, Downers South J. Jackson, JCA J. Arenas, Maine South M. Salter, Romeoville Hood, Plainfield Central A. Becar, Notre Dame E. Goss, Plainfield East Ward, Joliet Central Hornsby, Joliet Central S. Gustafson, Plainfield Central N. Foldvary, Maine South A. D’Avanzo, Notre Dame Leagogo, Westmont L. Simon, Notre Dame
18 18 17 17 17 15 14 14 .686 .620 .590 .580 .550 .550 .550 .530 .530 .520 .520 .510 .504 .920 .875 .813 .812 .810 .810 .810 .800 .793 .760 .759 .750 .750 .727 .720 .720 .710 .710 .710 .708 .700
a lot better, but I held my own ground and averaged a 208.” Canova knew what the state experience was about after making it two years ago as a team. “I knew how it was going to be loud and kind of scary here,” Canova said. “It was a great experience.” While she wanted the team to advance to finals, she was happy to get to bowl one more day and represent her school. “It hurt a little bit, I know the feeling from before,” Canova said. “But, I was happy I could make it to the second day and my teammates were here to support me. It was a little weird and kind of scary to bowl by myself because
I have never done that before, but I had other girls here that I know from before.” What made it even better was the way she finished her high school career. “I’m happy with the way I finished out, with a turkey in my 10th frame of my last game,” Canova said. “I’m very happy with my career.” She finished her career in 37th place with a 2,493 12-game total. Friday Resurrection finished with a 5,827, 70 pins away from qualifying for finals. Lauren Gawlinski shot a 1,212, Peyton LaValley had a 1,183 and Meredith Nowotarski added a 1,058 in six games.`
and will open play by hosting No. 10 Zion-Benton in the Maine South Regional at 7:30 p.m. March 1. Niles West is the No. 15 seed in the sectional and will play No. 19 Highland Park at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 in the Maine South Regional. The winner will then face No. 3
Stevenson the following day at 6 p.m. The Maine South Regional final is at 7 p.m. March 4. Maine East is the No. 16 seed in the sectional and will face No. 18 Lake Villa at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 for the right to face No. 2 Deerfield the next day at 6 p.m.
News about local businesses in your community T h ur sday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
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Dave Says
Ethical dilemma at work will affect performance Find another job before you quit; be professional when you turn in your notice Dear Dave, I work an extra job part time for a retail store chain while I’m getting out of debt. I like my job, except for having to pitch the store’s credit card to customers. Like you, I believe debt is a bad thing. Still, my bosses are putting more and more pressure on me to sell the cards. It’s been bothering me a lot lately, and I was wondering if you have any advice for my ethical dilemma? Evette Dear Evette, If you’ve been in the business for very long, I guess you’ve discovered that most retail stores make more money on credit than the sale of merchandise. In my mind, you’ve got two types of integrity that are pulling at you. Your personal integrity wants you to do a good job for yourself and your employer,
dave says By Dave Ramsey
but it’s also telling you that credit cards are bad products. That makes you feel like you’ve signed up to sell something that you don’t believe in. You wouldn’t want someone working for you who wouldn’t follow your instructions, and I wouldn’t want someone working for me who doesn’t believe in what they’ve been hired to do. For the sake of your own integrity, I would suggest that you find another part-time job. If you feel this strongly about the issue, sooner
or later it will start to affect your performance and attitude – both at work and at home. Hang on long enough to land another job before you quit. Then, be professional when you turn in your notice. Despite what lots of people say these days, there are plenty of part-time jobs out there! —Dave
Raising the rent Dear Dave, I have two small duplexes in Idaho that I rent for $400 a month, each on one-year leases. The rent is about $50 to $75 below similar units in the area. The tenants in all four places are great, so how do you know when, or if, you should raise the rent? If you raise the rent, how do you keep good relationships with your tenants? Teresa Dear Teresa, My advice with rental properties
is to raise the rent a little bit each year. You want to be fair and affordable for your tenants, but you don’t want them thinking the rate is locked in forever. As a business owner, if you don’t have small, manageable increases on a regular basis, you’ll look up in four or five years and realize you’re losing money because your rent is way below market value. Then, if you implement a big rate hike out of nowhere, your tenants will have a fit. After that, you could be looking at empty properties. When it comes time to renew the leases, try explaining to them that you’ve looked around in the market and other very comparable units are going for $450 or more, but that you appreciate them and what good tenants they are. Then, propose signing the new lease at $410 or $420. Don’t raise it to full market value. In most cases, this kind of approach will keep both parties happy. As a landlord, you’ll be able to retain quality tenants and make
more money. As a renter, you’ll have the comfort of knowing you rent isn’t going to suddenly jump sky-high. It’s a win-win! —Dave Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 11 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations and digital outlets. Dave’s latest project, EveryDollar, provides a free online budget tool. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
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T h u r s d ay, F e br ua r y 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 | ni le s b ug le .co m Business & Private Party Classified Ads: $16 per week, 20 words or less. Weddings, Births & Engagements: Black & White - $25, Color - $35. Obituaries: $35.
Upcoming events for Seniors in the community T h ur sday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
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village news >> niles
Free vision screening to be offered at Niles senior expo 10th annual Swing into Spring Senior Expo set for April 29 The Niles Lions Club will offer free eye screening for diabetic retinopathy at the 10th annual Swing into Spring Senior Expo. Swing into Spring is designed to link seniors who need products and services with vendors who provide those services. The expo is scheduled for April 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Golf Mill Shopping Center. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in adults in the U.S. today. According to medical experts, early detection is a major factor in the prevention of visual loss. The free screenings may determine retinal problem associated with macular degeneration. To sign up for the screenings, which will be done in special vehicles in the parking lot, visit the Niles Lions Club table in the Food Court. Sponsored by the Niles Lions Club, the screenings are being done in conjunction with the Lions of Illinois Foundation and the Illinois Retina Associates, S.C. The Expo kicks off at 9 a.m. with early bird bingo hosted by Township Supervisor Carol Teschky. “We are pleased that our MaineStreamers senior expo continues to be so popular and has experienced the steady
Sheehan Julia K. Sheehan, 95, of Niles, was the beloved wife of the late Raymond P. Sheehan; loving mother of Jerry (Patricia), Maureen (Paul) Gallant, Timothy, Kathleen (Roman) Benko, and the late Daniel; cherished grandmother of five and great grandmother of five; and fond aunt of seven nieces and nephews. Service to be held in the future. Donations to American Cancer Society are be appreciated. For funeral information, call 847-966-7302.
Submitted Photo
The 10th annual Swing into Spring Senior Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 at the Golf Mill Shopping Center. growth over the past 10 years,” Teschky said. “When we started in 2006, we welcomed about 1000 visitors. This year, we expect to approach the 2,000 mark.” After a welcome by Teschky and other Maine Township officials at 10 a.m., the Skokie Valley Trio, led by flute player Valerie Simosko, will perform all three Haydn “London Trios” at 10:30 a.m. Two raffles are also on the agenda – the first at 11:15 a.m. and the second at 12:15 p.m. A Tribute to Roy Orbison will cap the day, when Randy Walker performs hits from one of rock ‘n’ rolls greatest vocalists at 1 p.m. A variety of other entertaining activities include free caricatures drawn by Mark Schultz from
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as well as product demonstrations, giveaways and contests. Additionally, the Illinois Secretary of State Mobile Driver Services Facility will be on hand for renewal, replacement and corrections to driver’s license/ state ID cards, vision screening with a driver’s license renewal, vehicle sticker sales, motor voter registration and organ/ tissue donor information and registration. Other state and regional agencies are also expected to be in attendance. “We thank all the vendors from local, regional and state agencies, along with a range of commercial companies, for being a part of
this popular event,” Teschky added. “We are always looking to expand the variety of vendors to help better serve the interests of our older residents who attend.” Sponsored by Maine Township, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Chicagoland Senior News and the Suburban Resource Guide for Seniors, this event is still accepting applications for exhibit space and sponsors. Potential exhibitors and sponsors can contact the expo sales office at 847-720-4495. For more information about Maine Township and its MaineStreamers department, call 847-297-2510 or visit the Maine Township website at www. mainetownship.com.
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Thursday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
FEBRUARY 25
A Taste of India with Whole Foods. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Park Ridge Public Library, 20 S. Prospect Ave. Nancy LaBreacht from Whole Foods will share her recent experience of volunteering in India through the Whole Planet Foundation. Learn about solutions that are ending poverty and giving hope to the world’s poorest citizens and sample some Indian cuisine. For more information, visit www.parkridgelibrary.org. Teen Science Lab: DIY Lava Lamps. 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Make your own lava lamp using household ingredients and, of course, the magic of science. A groovy time is guaranteed! Supplies, instructions and snacks will be provided. For more information about this event or to register, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847-965-4220.
FEBRUARY 26
Create Mola: PanamanianInspired Folk Art. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Bring the whole family to the library to make beautiful cut-paper collages inspired by the folk art tapestries of Panama. Mola-style art uses nature, patterns, and intense color to create beautiful pictures that have a unique spirit. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent/ caregiver. This program is offered in conjunction with the Coming Together in Skokie and Niles Township initiative. For more information about this event, visit www.mgpl.org or call
847-965-4220. MGPL After Dark: Movie Night and Oscar Prediction Contest: The Martian. 6:30 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Enjoy complimentary popcorn and refreshments while you watch a great movie on the big screen and fill out an Oscar prediction ballot for a chance to win a Blu-ray/DVD Player. No registration or tickets required! The Martian (2015) depicts an astronaut presumed dead after a Martian storm. He is left behind on Mars, and has to survive, while Earth plans a rescue mission. For more information about this event, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847-965-4220.
FEBRUARY 27
Discovering the Riches of FamilySearch. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Niles Public Library, 6960 Oakton. Maureen Brady, professional researcher and co-director of the Crystal Lake Family History Center, introduces the richest, free internet resource for genealogical researching, illustrating search techniques and navigation tips. Mega Movie Pajama Night. 6 to 9 p.m. at Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge. Hey kids, come dressed in your favorite pjs and enjoy an evening of fun! Play games, enjoy a fun snack, and watch a G/PG rated movie in the gym. This is a great opportunity for parents to enjoy a quiet evening to themselves.
The Improv Playhouse Presents: Rumpelstiltskin. 2 to 3 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Bring the whole family to the library to see the story of Rumpelstiltskin, a famous fairytale about the world’s first ever name game. In a humorous twist on the classic tale, this production examines the importance of being truthful even in a tangled situation. For more information about this event, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847-965-4220.
FEBRUARY 28
Financial Education Event. 2 to 3 p.m. at The Niles Historical and Cultural Center, 8970 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Free Admission. This event is hosted by the Heartland Institute, a non-profit organization. You will learn strategies on how to invest for retirement and college. No soliciting will take place during this event. For questions please call Niles Historical Society at 847-390-0160 or email rmb@vniles.com. Oscar Night Party! 7 to 11 p.m. at Niles Public Library, 6960 Oakton. The Oscars once again are taking over the Niles Library. Registration rules: Registration for Niles Library CARDHOLDERS begins Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. Registration opens for ALL Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. Register online at nileslibrary.org, in person, or call 847-663-1234.
MARCH 5
9th Annual Rock ‘n Dodge Dodgeball Tournament. 6 to 9 p.m. at Centennial Fitness Center, 1515 West Touhy Ave., Park Ridge. Registration for teams up to 6 players starts at 6 and goes to 6:45 p.m. Games begin at 7 p.m. Enjoy prizes for top teams in both divisions, free T-shirts and refreshments! Entry fee is 1 canned good or $1 per person to be donated to Maine Township Food Pantry.
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T h ur sday, February 25, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com
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Three officials to leave Morton Grove Library Library held special meeting Feb. 18 to discuss next steps By Igor Studenkov bugle staff
nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews
When it rains, it pours at the Morton Grove Public Library. On Feb. 10, the library announced that director Debra Stombres is resigning to take a position at Poplar Creek Public Library District, which serves Streamwood and Hanover Park. Less than a week later, the library announced that trustee Cathy Peters is resigning her seat on the library board after five years of service. And most recently, Board President Barbara Novick told the Bugle that assistant director Kevin Justie had announced he too was leaving the board. The departures leave the board one member short and the library without a clear choice for interim director, while it looks for Stombres’ permanent replacement. Stombres has been the Morton Grove Public Library director
health | from page 5 when they might not need them and put themselves at risk from complications arising from blood sugar that is controlled too tightly. Evidence is coming in that shows blood sugar levels can become dangerously low especially for older people, according to a study reported in 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine. That study noted other research that showed drugs which lower blood glucose have been implicated in 25 percent of emergency hospitalizations for older people. The lowering of the diabetes threshold is a good example of how politics and money influence guidelines not only for diabetes but also for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many other conditions. Although diabetes medicines are necessary for people who truly have the disease, “not everyone accepts the claim that half of all Americans have either diabetes or pre-diabetes, primarily because not everyone accepts
since March 24, 2014. This was her first director position. Before she was hired at Morton Grove, she served as a branch manager at the Aurora Public Library. During her tenure, the library took its first steps toward expansion after it purchased the building at 6200 Lincoln Ave. Under Stombres’ watch, the library held more events and launched a Writers Group, which has been meeting monthly since the start of 2016. But perhaps most notably, Stombres led the library through a complex renovation project that ran from fall 2014 to spring 2015. Originally, the project only involved roof repairs. But after those repairs revealed asbestos inside the roof, the library had to close off most of the building to protect patrons while it decided what to do next. Abating asbestos required contractors to seal off most of the building, and the library decided to use this as an opportunity to make previously planned building renovations.
In a letter to the editor submitted to the Bugle, Novick praised Stombres for keeping everything running smoothly throughout the process. “Much of the credit for keeping things running smoothly, both the reconstruction and library functioning, is due to the director’s outstanding effort and determination,” Novick wrote. On her part, Stombres said she couldn’t have done it on her own. “The staff and board were extremely supportive and together we solved roofing issues, asbestos issues and ADA compliance issues, while also remodeling the main floor interior space at the same time,” she said. Stombres took the position at Poplar Creek Library District because it would give her an opportunity to work closer to home. Her resignation takes effect in March. She told the Bugle that the impending departure has been bittersweet. “It is with mixed feelings that I will be leaving Morton Grove,” Stombres said. “I have become
very attached to my staff, as well as the community. I have worked with a team of very committed and capable librarians in Morton Grove.” She cited the library renovations as a significant accomplishment. Stombres also said she made a number of improvements to make the administrative side of the library operations more efficient, as well as tried to increase the library’s involvement in the Morton Grove community. “I worked hard to network with the community and get to know the leaders,” she said. “The library is regularly involved in many community activities.” At the same time, Stombres said she didn’t want to take too much credit for anything that has been achieved over the past two years. “I am a team player and as a leader, I enjoy drawing out the strengths of my staff,” she added. “As a team, we have accomplished more in the past two years than I could have imagined.” Stombres noted that she feels good about the library’s future, as well. “The library has a strategic plan with longer range goals in place
the rigid boundaries and the lower boundaries that now start labeling you as pre-diabetic if your hemoglobin A1C test comes back at 5.7 percent or higher,” my colleague Gary Schwitzer wrote in Health News Review. (Hemoglobin A1C is a test used to screen and test for diabetes.) One of those who doesn’t is Nilay Shah, Ph.D, a researcher at the Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit at the Mayo Clinic, who told me the focus has been to get blood sugar numbers lower, but “getting it too low may not have potential benefits for patients.” The American Diabetes Association considers people with A1C levels of 6.5 percent and higher to be diabetic; those with levels lower than 5.7 percent are normal, and everyone else is prediabetic. These definitions have shifted over the years to include more patients, and as doctors label them diabetic or pre-diabetic, sales of drugs to treat these conditions have risen. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a series on drug safety that
should be required reading for every patient pointed out that before 1997 when the American Diabetes Association lowered the threshold for who qualifies as diabetic, 9.7 percent of American adults were considered diabetic. By 2014, 11 percent of adults were now diabetic. In 2003 the threshold was lowered again, and in 2008 professional organizations like the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists said that drugs could be used to treat pre-diabetes “with careful judgment.” The next year the sales of diabetes drugs reached $15 billion. In 2010 when the American Diabetes Association said the A1C test could be used to diagnose prediabetes, nearly 22 percent of the adult population was considered pre-diabetic. In 2013 the professional groups issued another statement saying that pre-diabetics can be treated with drugs if diet and exercise don’t work. That year sales of diabetes drugs hit $23 billion. Setting guidelines is hardly
straightforward. In fact, the process is “absolutely” fraught with politics, Shah said. “There are a lot of different incentives people have that make it tough to figure out what the right numbers are.” Many members of the guidelines committees have strong ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Most of the time, but not always, those ties are disclosed in reports and published papers, and a patient can see that a drug company may have funded a committee members’ research. Do those connections make it more likely members will vote to expand the market for a company that’s been generous to them? Do they make it easier to overlook evidence of harm caused by a particular drug? Those new definitions of who has diabetes raise questions for millions of Americans with A1C levels in the pre-diabetes range. Should they take these drugs, change their diet or exercise more? “It’s increasingly acknowledged that setting the targets for lowering
that my successor will be picking up,” she said. “I believe the library is on a good path to accomplish those goals.” The library board held a special meeting Feb. 18 to discuss its next steps. The discussion took place during executive session and was closed to the public. Normally, an assistant director would serve as an interim director while the board looks for a permanent replacement. In 2014, Justie filled that role before Stombres was hired. However, since Justie is leaving the district this time around, Novick told the Bugle that the board hasn’t decided who would act as the interim director. The board has not decided on the timeline for finding the permanent replacement, either. When it comes to Peters’ replacement, the process is much clearer. The board will appoint a Morton Grove resident to serve out the remainder of her term, which ends in 2017. Interested residents can fill out an online application at www. mgpl.org/about/trustee-app. Applications must be submitted by March 10.
blood sugar should be done with doctors and patients based on what they believe is important and the benefit they are likely to derive,” Shah says. The Mayo Clinic offers decision tools for patients to help them weigh risks and benefits of particular drugs. The Shared Decision Making National Resource Center http:// shareddecisions.mayoclinic.org/ offers guides and information that should be helpful as patients work their way through the confusing, often misleading, and sometimesscary claims about diabetes medications. What are your experiences with diabetes medicines? Write to Trudy at trudy.lieberman@gmail. com. The Rural Health News Service is funded by a grant from The Commonwealth Fund and is distributed through the Nebraska Press Assn. Foundation, Colorado Press Assn., South Dakota Newspaper Assn., Hoosier (IN) State Press Assn. Foundation, Illinois Press Foundation, Wyoming Press Assn. and California Newspaper Publishers Assn. Foundation.
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