Niles 4-21-16

April 21, 2016 vol. 60 issue 29

Notre Dame starts season inconsistent

see page 7

Featured News News

Dons experienced

Photo By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff

2016 Golden Apple Award winner Pankaj Sharma poses with his family, selection committee member Monica Gil and ABC7 anchor Hosea Sanders.

News No Exemptions

Proposed stormwater fee will not include exemptions, credits see page 2

News Social Worker

Park Ridge PD’s request for full-time social worker hits roadblock see page 3

Forum Mental Health

Start spring cleaning from the neck up

see page 5

Sports Girls Softball

Maine South softball off to an eventful start

see page 8

Police, students talk gangs at District 219 town hall meeting

By Igor Studenkov bugle staff

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

Gang awareness and afterschool activities were on the agenda during the April 12 Niles Township Youth Coalition Town Hall.

During the event – held at Niles West High School – Skokie Police Department officer Al Vincic talked about the presence of gangs in Niles Township and what parents should do if they suspect their child has joined a gang.

However, some students and district staff members questioned why the topic was raised in the first place. Some expressed concerns that it might lead to profiling against minority students. Instead, they wanted to focus on increasing student achievement, reducing stigma around mental health, and encouraging students to get involved in school organizations and their community.

Jim Szczepaniak, the district’s community relations director, told the attendees that the presentation about gangs came as a response

to feedback received during last year’s meeting. He emphasized that he and NTYC members appreciated the feedback this time around, and that it would be taken into account.

NTYC is made up of representatives of police departments, park districts, library districts, and social service agencies and organizations in Niles, Skokie, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood. Since forming in the 1980s, the organization went

see district | page 14

Photo By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff

Gang awareness and afterschool activities were on the agenda during the April 12 Niles Township Youth Coalition Town Hall at Niles West High School.

Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

North history teacher earns Golden Apple Award Every year, the award recognizes 10 high school teachers

By Igor Studenkov bugle staff

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

As teachers, administrators and reporters made their way up the staircase at Niles North High School on the afternoon of April 13, the group made as little noise as possible on its way to a classroom where Pankaj Sharma was teaching.

Shock quickly turned to delight when students realized that the group entering the classroom was there to surprise their teacher.

Sharma was one of several Chicagoland teachers who won the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Every year, the award recognizes 10 high school teachers who embody the highest standards and practices of the profession. The winners were chosen from a pool of 400 finalists from Chicago and its suburbs. Each winner receives a spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University and a $5,000 cash award.

Members of Golden Apple’s selection committee praised Sharma for his ability to engage students and encourage discussion.

They also singled out his attention and care for each individual student, his passion for social justice and the way he inspires the same passion in his charges.

Sharma said that, while teaching

Photo By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff

2016 Golden Apple Award winner Pankaj Sharma poses with his students.

has both good and bad days, seeing his students graduate and succeed in their goals makes it all worthwhile. The Golden Apple Awards have been around for the past 30 years. Candidates can be nominated by students, parents, fellow teachers and community members. The organization puts together a selection committee made up of retired teaches, college and university professors, education administrators, and former award recipients to narrow down the nominees. Once the finalists are chosen, committee members sit in on candidates’ classes and interview students, parents, fellow teachers and their superiors.

In addition to teaching U.S., African and Latin American history, Sharma teaches government and civics. He is also involved in the Niles North extracurricular

activities, running the We Help Others community service club and helps organize the annual Dance Marathon fundraiser.

At about noon, members of the selection committee, Golden Apple officials, reporters and Sharma’s wife and daughters assembled in a small room near Niles North’s main entrance. Selection committee member Kevin Nohelty told reporters that Sharma was one of the best candidates he ever evaluated.

“If I could say one word – ‘rockstar’” he said.

Noherty said that during the observation sessions, he was impressed with how Sharma handled classroom discussion on a complicated political topic.

“He was able to keep students fully engaged,” said Noherty. “They felt safe to offer opinions without

worrying about ridicule. It was just amazing how he was able to do it.”

He added that he was touched by the students’ testimony.

“To be honest, it brought me to tears,” Noherty said. “[Sharma was] someone who truly had them interested and engaged.”

Monica Gil, a selection committee member and a 2008 award recipient, said she was just as moved by what she saw and heard.

“I left the site visit wanting to do more with my life, I’m not going to lie,” she said.

Gil recalled how she attended an event where she ran into Niles North students. Even though they didn’t know she was on the selection committee, they heaped praised on Sharma.

“The effects [he had on his students] are far-reaching, which is amazing,” she said.

When it came time to give Sharma the news, Niles North Principal Ryan McTague and ABC7 anchor Hosea Sanders were the first to walk in, followed by the rest of the procession.

McTague praised Sharma for his impact on students and his involvement in the community.

“He’s a good example of what it is to be a positive role model, not just in school, but in the community,” he said.

Students who talked to the Bugle offered nothing but praise for their teacher.

“He deserved it,” said Zaina Quader. “He reaches out to everybody, he helps everybody, he really wants us to learn. He makes every student feel like he cares about them.”

Nick Slater said their teacher makes his students better people.

“He’s really one of a kind teacher, and he really deserves [the award],” Slater added.

Sharma told the Bugle that he was surprised and honored to get the award. When asked what he considered the best part of the job, he didn’t hesitate in answering.

“I’m proud that we have wonderful students who want to get involved, who want to make the community a better place,” Sharma said.

He added that teaching has its ups and downs, and there are days that are rough. But in the end, he said it was all worth it.

“When you see a student graduate, when they’ve done something positive, you feel like you’ve been important,” said Sharma.

Proposed stormwater fee will not include exemptions, credits Officials say fee wouldn’t make financial sense with a rate set at $2.75

By Igor Studenkov bugle staff

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

Offering any rebates or exemptions for the planned Park Ridge stormwater fee wouldn’t make financial sense with a rate set at $2.75, according to city officials.

As previously reported by the Bugle, the city council voted 5-2 to set the stormwater fee rate at $2.75 per equivalent runoff unit, or ERU, which would raise approximately

$500,000 for a stormwater management plan. One ERU equals 2,800 square feet of impervious surface area on a property.

During the April 11 meeting of the Public Works Committee of the Whole, PublicWorks DirectorWayne Zingsheim explained that granting anyone automatic exemptions or letting them get rebates would actually cause the city lose money.

When asked just how high the fee would need to go in order to allow for rebates and exemptions,

Zingheim said it would need to be at least three times the proposed rate, or $8.25.

Zingheim also explained that the actual cost of the study would probably be closer to $300,000. The extra $200,000 would be set aside in case the city needs to pay more or used for something else.

Thomas Burke, the vice president of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, told the committee that, when municipalities implement stormwater fees, they usually start in the range of $3-$8 per ERU. “Most don’t start with a small amount with a goal of [increasing it] later,” he said.

But when asked whether Park Ridge’s approach was “strategically undesirable,” Burke demurred.

“If it’s better of worse is something for you to decide,” he said. “You can say ‘yes’ either way – it isn’t a recommendation I can give...”

Burke also told the committee that, generally speaking, the prospect of raising the stormwater fee doesn’t raise concerns.

When the fees are implemented, he said most residents don’t ask for reductions.

The objections that do rise usually come from churches, schools and non-profit organization because those properties would bear the

biggest burden, according to Burke.

Rate increases, he said, don’t usually raise objections either – so long as municipalities clearly explain what the money is being used for.

Sixth Ward Ald. Marc Mazzuca argued that Park Ridge should use the surplus from the water fund to pay for the stormwater plan.

Second Ward Ald. Nicholas Milissis said he preferred to keep the money where it was.

“I don’t think we should be shifting money from one pot of money to another,” he said. “I think we should keep stormwater as pure as we can.”

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city council >> park ridge

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Park Ridge

Rollover accident prompts city to consider stop signs at Cedar and Hamlin

By Igor Studenkov bugle staff

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

Photo By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff

Park Ridge Police Department requests to make a currently part-time social worker position full-time.

Police request for full-time social worker hits roadblock Aldermen say two part-time employees would save city money on benefits

By Igor Studenkov

First Ward Ald. John Moran

Second Ward Ald. Nicholas Milissis

Frank Kaminski Police Chief of Park Ridge

Fifth Ward Ald. Daniel Knight

bugle staff

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

A Park Ridge Police Department request to make a currently parttime social worker position fulltime ran into stumbling blocks, as three aldermen expressed reservations about the proposed budget item.

Police Chief Frank Kaminski argued that expanding the position would allow the social worker to do more in the community and engage in more outreach activities.

However, First Ward Ald. John Moran, Second Ward Ald. Nicholas Milissis and Fifth Ward Ald. Daniel Knight felt that the job description that was provided went beyond what was discussed at previous meeting. Milissis and Sixth Ward Ald. Marc Mazzuca also wondered if hiring an additional part-time worker would accomplish the same goals.

In 2013, the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and the Park Ridge Community Health Commission launched a survey to assess Park Ridge residents’ physical and mental health. The two organizations subsequently formed the Healthier Park Ridge Coalition to address issues raised

by the survey. The two major priorities were improving residents’ access to mental health services and dental care.

During the March 10 budget workshop, Kaminski told aldermen that he wanted to make the position full-time in response to the coalition’s recommendation.

“One of the key findings that came out of that came out of the survey [was that] one of the key reasons those services weren’t received was that individuals didn’t know where to go for these services,” he said. “[The social worker would] connect the dots and tell them what services are available.”

Kaminski also said the current social worker only works nights. If he were full time, he would be able to provide help during other times of the day. It would also make

the social worker a more visible presence in Park Ridge.

At the time, Mazzuca wondered why the city would hire a full-time social worker, arguing that two parttime social workers would provide more presence without requiring Park Ridge to spend more money on employee benefits. Kaminski replied that having a social worker would provide continuity, arguing that having one social worker in the field and coordinating with other mental health professionals would be more efficient than having two part-timers trying to accomplish the same goal, while coordinating with each other.

During the April 11 Public Safety Committee of the Whole meeting, Kamiski elaborated on his rationale.

see police | page 13

The city of Park Ridge will do a study to determine whether it needs to put in a stop sign at the intersection of Cedar Street and Hamlin Avenue after an April 6 car accident renewed residents’ safety concerns.

According to area residents who spoke at the April 11 Park Ridge Public Safety Committee of the Whole meeting, the intersection has been accidentprone for as long as they could remember. An April 6 accident that involved one of the cars flipping onto a lawn was just the latest in what they described as a pattern of alarming incidents.

Sarah Mitchell, Park Ridge city engineer, said the city would study whether to put in stop signs, but she and other officials emphasized that there is a specific process that must be followed before the final decision is made. During the April 11 meeting, Acting Mayor Marty Maloney invited all residents who attended to voice their concerns.

Carrie Schirtier said the lack of stop signs at the Cedar/Hamlin intersection didn’t make sense to her.

“There are stop signs and ‘do not cross’ signs at every intersection except this one,” she said.

Schirtier said accidents

happened so often that she has asked her children to take special precautions. “My kids aren’t allowed to make the left turn onto the house, because that’s where most accidents [happen],” she said.

TaniaForte,wholivesonHamlin Avenue near the intersection, noted that Carpenter Elementary School is only a few blocks north.

“You got hundreds of kids walking through this intersection, “ she said. “I hate to say, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Maloney said he wanted to get across that, as a rule, Park Ridge didn’t just put up stop signs simply because someone asks for them.

Mitchell outlined the process, explaining that the city looks at what factors influence traffic in the area, the history of car accidents, how much traffic it actually gets, what sort of speeds the cars travel at and whether there have been any recent studies. She explained that, if a speed study has been done within the last five years, it would use that instead of starting another one. “Sometimes, [the process] takes a couple of months, depending on if we have to do a speed study,” said Mitchell.

In response to questions from the aldermen, she said one thing the city won’t do is install speed bumps.

“We placed a moratorium on speed bumps in 2012,” said Mitchell. “They proved to be not as effective as they once were.”

www.cookcountycrimestoppers.org • 800.535.stop Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

police >> park ridge

Police set national benchmark for justice training First department in the country to have all officers trained in revised DOJ curriculum The Park Ridge Police Department announced Friday that it is the first police department nationally to have all officers trained in U.S. Department of Justice procedural justice training.

In effort to improve policecommunity relations and increase public trust, all Park Ridge police officers attended DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services training on procedural justice in March and April. Training

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.

Niles Miguel A. Cruz, 38, 600 block of Dempster, Mount Prospect, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. April 7 at Greendale and Oakton for no valid license and DUI.

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Maria G. Hernandez, 30, 5400 block of North Central Avenue, Chicago, was arrested at 6:44 p.m. April 8 in the 7400 block of Milwaukee for suspended license.

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Christopher A. Felcan, 21, 4N 700 block of Medinah Road, Bloomingdale, was arrested at 1:06 a.m. April 9 in the 7200 block of Dempster for DUI.

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Guadalupe Marquez-Sanchez, 29, 8900 block of Kennedy, Des Plaines, was arrested at 1:24 p.m. April 11 in the 7700 block of Milwaukee for no valid license.

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topics included procedural justice for law enforcement agencies, organizational change through decision making and policy for supervisors and procedural justice for law enforcement, and frontline officer for line officers.

These trainings were sponsored in partnership with the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Park Ridge Police Department said the goal of the

enforcement organization’s culture and provides a structure for positive organizational transformation.

Research indicates that efforts to ensure a procedurally just environment within the organization helps officers embrace these same principles as they interact with the public.

In the light of national events, the Park Ridge Police Department said it is dedicated to identifying and implementing best practices in law enforcement that strengthen trust among its officers and the community.

Spencer A. Noggle, 19, 2112 Woodland Ave., Park Ridge, was arrested at 9:31 p.m. April 4 in the 2100 block of Woodland for possession of cannabis.

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Kevin R. Lee, 64, 240 Anthony Court, Buffalo Grove, was arrested at 4:03 p.m. April 5 in the 200 block of Vine for battery.

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Eugene H. Broome III, 42, 3096 W. 109th Place, Chicago, was arrested at 3:25 a.m. April 5 at Northwest Highway and Washington for DUI, improper display and speeding.

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Lucas C. Dahms, 21, 724 W.

10 Algonquin Ave., Des Plaines, was arrested at 11:22 a.m. April 5 in the 0-100 block of Northwest Highway for possession of drug paraphernalia and a warrant.

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Michael J. Christensen, 25, 1008 Vine Ave., Park Ridge, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. April 10 in the 1000 block of Vine for criminal trespassing.

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Morton Grove Douglas F. Johnson, 33, Morton Grove, was arrested April 7 in the 9200 block of Sayre for violation of order of protection.

Daren A. Wagner, 40, 8200 block of Ozanam, Niles, was arrested at 11 p.m. April 13 in the 8000 block of Washington for suspended license.

Scott A. Livingston, 25, Chicago, was arrested April 8 at Dempster and Sayre for DUI.

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processes.

This is the inaugural delivery of the revised line officer curriculum nationally, making the Park Ridge Police Department the first department to have all officers trained in the official USDOJ COPS Office procedural justice training series. Park Ridge supervisors were trained last month, followed by officers.

Recently endorsed by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and longembraced by the COPS Office, the philosophy of procedural justice aims at the core of a law

Park Ridge

Stefano Bertelli, 34, 5100 block of Conrad, Skokie, was arrested at 11:39 p.m. April 13 at Dempster and Oleander for DUI.

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training was to promote positive organizational change, uphold police legitimacy in the community and enhance officer safety.

Originally developed by CPSJ and the Advanced Training Unit in King County, Washington, these curricula introduce officers to the four key pillars of procedural justice: fairness in processes, transparency in actions, opportunity for voice and impartiality in decision making.

Additionally, the training provides practical steps for application throughout the department, in both internal and external

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Roman A. Ilyayev, 32, Des Plaines, was arrested April

8 at Golf and Harms for possession of controlled substance, suspended driver’s license and open container.

Kevin T. Hoban, 56, Fountain Hills, Arizona, was arrested April 8 at Lincoln and Gross Point for DUI.

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Geum Ji Jung, 35, Skokie, was arrested April 9 at Golf and Washington for possession of controlled substance, possession of

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drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis.

Julie Castro, 52, Vernon Hills, was arrested April 9 in the 7200 block of Dempster for retail theft.

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Emell T. Jones, 34, Evanston, arrested April 10 at Dempster and Ferris for driving while license revoked.

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Eugenia

E.

Brown,

32,

19 Chicago, was arrested April 11 at Dempster and Central for driving while license suspended.

Laurice H. Botros, 47, Skokie, arrested April 11 at Dempster and Ferris for improper use of registration.

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Dennis Potts, 34, Chicago, was arrested April 11 at Dempster and Menard for suspended license.

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5

coluMn >> to your Mental HealtH

Start spring cleaning from the neck up

editorial

Making effort to explore what happens between our ears can be a frightening endeavor assistant editor

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By Jason florin | For The Bugle Looking inside ourselves and examining what’s there is one of the hardest things we can do. More than 1,600 years ago, St. Augustine recognized how much we fear selfreflection when he noted, “People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.

Socrates kept things even simpler, encouraging his followers to “know thyself.”

Yet making the effort to explore what happens between our ears is a frightening endeavor. We worry that we won’t like what we find, and taking the time for self-exploration sounds about as fun as cleaning a dirty garage.

There’s also the issue of how to go about beginning the process. You might find yourself confused about how to get started, like the difficulty many find with trying to meditate for the first time. Consider using resources such as books and websites. For example, the website PsychCentral offers a list of prompts for daily self-reflection, while numerous authors have published self-help workbooks on the topic with prompts to jumpstart your quest. You might also consider taking a page from one of the most widespread and effective support groups ever known.

April 22

sew sweeT. 4:30-6 p.m. Grades 7-12.

Design a coin purse using candy wrappers, duct tape and a zipper. a special event to celebrate Earth Day and the library’s Sweet Home Chicago exhibit.

April 23

riVer Trail naTure cenTer presenTs birds oF prey. 2 to 3 p.m. at Morton Grove Public library, 6140 lincoln ave. Bring the whole family to the library to hear the river trail Nature Center present on Birds of Prey! they will be bringing a live raptor to the library along with bird artifacts like feathers and bones to demonstrate the

to your MENtal HEaltH

By JASon florIn

Step by step In the 1930s, Alcoholics Anonymous was just getting started, and the group managed to do what no doctors or psychologists at the time could – find a solution to alcoholism. The program was built around 12 steps, the same steps that exist today. Although the program was designed for people with a drinking problem, many have noted that almost anyone can benefit from doing these steps.

The fourth step in the AA program addresses the notoriously intimidating project of self-examination. People working the steps sometimes move through steps one through three like a checklist, stating their agreement with the ideas and then moving on.

In theory, this works because the first three steps, while absolutely critical, do not require as much tangible evidence of their completion.

And, then comes step four: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Doing this step requires considerable thought, reflection, writing, remembering, and above all, discomfort. Yet, the growth that can be found on the other side is a genuine gift. take the good with the bad Unpacking old events and memories can produce many emotions, both negative and positive. The point of

amazing adaptations these predators use to survive. they will discuss native hawks, owls and eagles, their vital role in our environment, and how you might observe one in your backyard. for more information about this event, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847-965-4220.

April 24

“The power oF glaMour.” 2 p.m. at Niles Historical and Cultural Center, 8970 Milwaukee ave., Niles. roberta randall in her “one Woman theater.” It evokes a unique Hollywood era and five of the goddesses - Joan Crawford, Great Garbo, katherine Hepburn, tallulah Bankhead and Marlene Dietrich- who enchanted the world

looking inside is not to relive old hurts, but rather to see what’s really there so we can change the parts that continue to be roadblocks. Patterns of harmful behavior become evident, which then empowers us to make more effective choices.

It’s also important to include our strengths and positive attributes when we take an inventory. Here we can confirm the traits we like about ourselves and the accomplishments of our lives. A lot of people think they have to beat themselves up in order to do an effective inventory, and this simply isn’t the case. A thorough inventory includes the good, the bad and the ugly.

Count your blessings, literally Another powerful tool is making a gratitude list. This is a simple way of acknowledging the things in our life – great and small – for which we are thankful. Set a goal for how many things you want to name, and then start writing. Coming up with 20, 50 or even 100 items is easier than you imagine.

If you want to take this experience a step further, you can incorporate the gratitude list into a daily routine, such as journaling, prayer or meditation. In this way, self-reflection becomes a less intimidating task. As I believe is the case for anyone making a change, you have to do what works for you. There is not a single right way to engage in selfexamination, and the process is about progress, not perfection. And if you learn even one thing about yourself in that process, I’d say it’s worth it.

Jason florin has 15 years of experience working in mental health and substance abuse treatment. He is currently an assistant professor and coordinator of Human services at college of dupage. He holds a master’s degree in Health science from governors state university, in addition to national and state certifications in addictions counseling. the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent any other institution or organization.

and left their legacy. admission is free. for more information, call 847-390-0160.

April 25

checkMaTes chess acadeMy. 7 to 8 p.m. at Morton Grove Public library, 6140 lincoln ave. learn how to play chess with a master chess expert from the CheckMates Chess academy. your child (Grades 1-6) will start with the basics and eventually learn the advanced moves to win the game, all with fun activities and real chess matches. for more information about this event, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847-965-4220.

see caleNdar | page 11

FoR WHEN you WANT To TAKE 5 minutes FoR youRSElF Thursday, apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

Aries

MARCH 21 TO APRiL 20

You believe the sun will rise even in the dead of night. In the week ahead you will have faith in your partner, your lover, or your friends even when a relationship is unpredictable or temporarily seems to be out of steam.

gemini

M AY 2 2 T O J U N E 2 1

Wishes may not be granted if you take people and things for granted. To appear tolerant and agreeable you might let someone get away with much too much in the week ahead. Be miserly with the benefit of the doubt.

leo

J U LY 2 3 T O A U g U S T 2 1

You’ve heard about the leopard and his spots. Those spots seldom change, so don’t try to change him. Someone you know might act impulsively this week and clash with your preconceived notions of what is proper.

Across 1 SHOwER ALTERNATivE 11 HOLLOw 15 “THE MAN wHO KNEw TOO MUCH” (1934) ACTOR 16 NASA UNiT 17 CORRECT 18 PigMENTEd LAYER 19 TAKEOUT MENU EPONYM 20 SMARTENS (UP) 21 1954 dETROiT AUTO SHOw UNvEiLiNg 22 BATTERY, E.g.

23 RidE ANd BROwN 24 MAKER OF NEO SOFT dRiNKS 27 CAPiTAL NNE OF ROME 29 PRAYER OPENiNg 30 FEELERS 33 NOggiN 34 CHAiN wiTH A REd COwBOY HAT LOgO 35 __ RAvEN: BALTiMORE NEigHBORHOOd 36 SqUARE SHOOTER? 38 vERY SMALL 39 SEqUOiA PARK ZOO HOME 40 TEACHiNg MOdEL 41 ACTRESS wHO STARREd iN TwO HiTCHCOCK FiLMS 43 JERK 44 gARiBALdi’S wiFE 45 TONS 47 “CRiMiNAL MiNdS” NETwORK 50 SPANiSH AddRESS 51 POiNTER’S CRY 53 wHEN THE gHOST OF HAMLET’S FATHER FiRST APPEARS 54 NANNY’S SERviCE 55 FUNd-RAiSiNg SUFFix 56 wHAT “d” MAY MEAN, MONETARiLY

Down 1 TOUgH __

2 THEY MAY BE FiLLEd FROM wELLS 3 MORT wALKER dOg 4 BK. ABOUT THE REBUiLdiNg OF JERUSALEM’S wALLS 5 AgEd 6 wHERE MARK TwAiN MARRiEd OLiviA LANgdON 7 AMPLiFY 8 “A-HUNTiNg wE wiLL gO” SONgwRiTER 9 MARNE MOdiFiER 10 “YO!” 11 MOUSE ACTiON 12 METAL-BENdiNg Aid 13 diSTRUSTFUL 14 “TARNATiON!” 21 FiCTiONAL HOUSE “BUiLT ACCORdiNg TO NO ARCHiTECTURAL PLAN wHATEvER” 22 HiTCHCOCK THRiLLER SET iN EAST gERMANY 23 FRidAY ET AL.: ABBR. 24 NAME iN viRgiNiA POLiTiCS 25 SiNgER LAiNE

26 gENTLY CONviNCEd ABOUT 27 BARKiNg HORSE RELATivE 28 “THE CHERRY ORCHARd” dAUgHTER 30 gO A LONg wAY 31 NEUTRAL COLOR 32 LOOK FOR A gOOd dEAL 34 “YES!” 37 REgiON 38 giNORMOUS 40 “___ x” 41 CHARgEd 42 METHUSELAH’S FATHER 43 COMEdiAN SMiRNOFF 45 ACOUSTiCAL UNiT 46 COLUMBiA PiCTURES COFOUNdER HARRY 47 MASALA __: iNdiAN BEvERAgE 48 BUiLdiNg wiTH Big dOORS 49 PROOF MARK 51 TOP 52 “__ UNdERgROUNd”: CULT FiLM SHOwCASE

librA

SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Too many restrictions can lead to rebellion. In the week ahead you may be riled up by restless need for a more exciting social life. Major accomplishments are possible if you have the wisdom to ignore passing distractions.

sAgittArius

NOvEMBER 23 TO dECEMBER 22

Set your personal bar as high as possible and exceed the expectations of others. By pleasing yourself first you may bring pleasure for others in the week ahead. Accept your mistakes and vow to do better next time.

AquArius

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Impulsive purchases appeal to packrats. In the week ahead you might be attracted to unique things that quickly lose your interest. Loved ones can remind you that you are immersed in too much of a good thing.

Sudoku

tAurus

A P R i L 2 1 T O M AY 2 1

Make your way like a famous mild mannered reporter in the week ahead. People may be more impressed with your demonstration of perfect courtesy and attention to duty than your sparkling social skills.

cAncer

J U N E 2 2 T O J U LY 2 2

Join forces with others for the best results. In the upcoming week when you have a major task to perform call on a friend to get the show on the road. Someone else may have the willpower and aplomb make ideas a reality.

virgo

AUgUST 22 TO SEPTEMBER 23

You may be blessed by having the biggest plate at the salad bar of life. In the week ahead you can enjoy the fruits of your labors as well as the appreciation other kindhearted individuals. Avoid making extravagant gestures.

scorpio

OCTOBER 24 TO NOvEMBER 22

Try to work within the parameters and color inside the lines. A flamboyant style will not help you get ahead this week. Roll up your shirt sleeves and finish up whatever you start. Casual comments could be criticized.

cApricorn

dECEMBER 23 TO JANUARY 20

The achievement of your ambitions requires hard work and persistence. A quick fix can cause more damage than good. If it seems that a change is needed in the week ahead take your time to consider all angles.

pisces

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

You are filled with sincerity and want to offer assurances. Be aware that even if you have the best of intentions that something could change the situation in the week to come. Don’t get stuck making a promise you can’t honor.

Jumble

Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2016

PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS

PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS

PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS

Jumbles:

• FUROR • MAJOR • SHAKEN • COSTLY

Answer:

EASY TO gET FROM ASTRONOMERS -- NO MORE STARS

Thursday, April 21, 2016

page 7

>> INSIDE: Maine South softball off to eventful start page 8

baseball

experienced Notre Dame off to inconsistent start

By Scott Taylor sports editor

staylor@enterprisepublications.com @Taylor_Sports

It is expected for teams to be inconsistent early in the season, especially with the way the weather has been so far this spring.

However, with an experienced team like Notre Dame baseball, they are hoping that those mistakes are corrected quickly.

“We have 16 seniors and a lot of guys have played varsity baseball,” Notre Dame coach Nelson Gord said. “So expectations are really high and that is what hurts even more when you don’t play to the net level you are capable of.”

Most of the time the Dons have played to a high level, but the times they haven’t has been costly.

“For two thirds of the game we are playing as good as anyone around,” Gord said. “There has been a few innings where we have definitely made some mistakes and there are things we need to improve on. The rest of the season looks very promising with the group we have and the amount of

5

Strikeouts for Rimac in just 3 innings vs. Marist

seniors that are on this team.”

If they can fix those mistakes, the sky is the limit for the Dons.

“If you are playing for anything less than a state championship, than why are you out here? We want to win every game that we play and we feel we are capable of doing that,” Gord said. “We want to win every game that we can.”

As mentioned early, the consistency will be the key.

“We just need to be consistent,” Gord said. “It has been a tale of two teams. We have beaten some good teams and really good pitchers and have done some incredible things and then we let a winnable game slide away.”

The East Suburban Catholic Conference is solid again this year and Gord expects his team to be in the mix for the championship.

“Nazareth and Marist are coming back with tons of guys and tons of talent,” Gord said. “Joliet Catholic is aways going to be at or near the top. It is going to come down to who wins those one-run ball games. You can’t afford to give games away and expect to win

see dons | page 9

3

runs scored by dons in 7th to beat marist

photo by scott taylor

Ranko Stevanovic had three RBI in Notre Dame’s 8-2 win over Rolling Meadows.

TWITTER: For up -to-the-minute coverage of upcoming local sport events going on in your area, follow @VoyagerSport

8

Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

softball

Maine South softball off to an eventful start Hawks top Niles West 8-4 in first meeting

By Scott Taylor sports editor

staylor@enterprisepublications.com @Taylor_Sports

Due to the weather, it has been an eventful start to the season for Maine South softball.

“We’ve been in the fieldhouse, we were in snow storms, we even practiced in the snow,” Maine South coach Emmy Pasier said. “This is what we have. We live in Chicago.

What are we going to do?”

Despite that, the Hawks have battled hard in the early part of the season, even though they have played very few games until the weather finally broke through last week.

“I have a fantastic group of kids,” Pasier said. “I have 14 kids who have not complained once about the cold, the conditioning or coming in at six in the morning for practice.

They are a great group of girls. I don’t need to motivate them, they do a good job of that themselves.”

In the games they have played

this year, Pasier is happy with the team’s performance.

“I’m really happy about the way they have played,” Pasier said. “I’m a hitter, I like hitting. The fact that this team likes to hit, it makes me happy.

I said for us to be like the Cubs and every time they score, we score.”

As the season picks up steam, Pasier hopes they can continue to perform at a high level and maintain their hard work and perseverance.

“I want them to continue playing the way they have,” she said.

“Whether they are up or down, they don’t give up, they work hard and they get the out in front of them and don’t give up the extra base. Hits are going to happen, scores are going to happen and wins/losses are going to happen. You have to keep your head on straight. That is what I am looking forward to. It is going to be a fun season with these girls.”

By the end of the season, the Hawks are hoping to clear a couple of hurdles and turn second place finishes into firsts.

“We have been in second place in our conference a couple times now,” Pasier said. “We’d love to be out on top. The Central Suburban League South is an incredible conference. We’ve had some really stiff competition and we’d like to be on top of that. We have been to the regional championship game the past three years and we would like to get over that hurdle. Every game I want to play how we can and come out on top.”

The biggest thing they need to work on to get to that point is their fielding, which is the case for every team early in the season and with the weather. As the season progresses, that is expected to improve.

“Right now we just need to practice on the field,” Pasier said.

“When you can’t practice your double plays or simple fielding things, fielding is always going to be behind hitting. So that is something we are going to have to work on.”

Maine South scored seven runs in the first two innings to top Niles West 8-4. Britney Richardson and Maddie Rog (2 hits, 3 RBI) each hit homers. Sarah Hoffman went 3-for-

3, while Elizabeth Porterfield had two hits with a double. Rog went the distance on the mound, allowing five hits and one earned run, striking out six. Shannon McHugh had a double and two RBI for Niles West.

The Hawks fell to New Trier 6-4 in eight innings. Rob struck out seven

on the mound.

•Niles West fell to Glenbrook South 6-5 in eight innings as Monica Gutierrez (2 RBI, double) and Kayleigh Plach each had two hits. Gianna Mahoney and McHugh (double, 2 RBI) each had two hits in a 14-4 loss to Leyden.

PHOTO BY scott taylor

Britney Richardson had a home run in Maine South’s 8-4 win over Niles West.

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Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com dons | from page 7 those things, so that is what we will be working on as we get ready for conference.”

Notre Dame beat Rolling Meadows 8-2. Ranko Stevanovic, Matt Segovia (2B, 3B, 3 RBI) and Matt Krogstad all had two hits.

The Dons shut out Latin 11-0 as Tim Simon (2 2B, 2 RBI), Stevanovic (3B, 4 RBI) and Segovia (2B, 3 RBI) all had two hits.

Notre Dame split with Marist Saturday, losing the first game 5-3.

Max Rimac had two hits and two RBI at the plate and went three scoreless innings on the mound, striking out five.

The Dons scored three runs in the top of the seventh to win the second game 4-3. Sam Ferri had a pair of doubles and two RBI to lead the charge. Neither Scott Kutschke nor Nick Stefanowicz allowed an earned run and each struck out six.

•Maine South fell to Glenbrook North 2-1. David Fleita and Danny Touhy each had a pair of hits, while Kyle Zajdel went 6.1 innings on the mound, allowing thee hits and two unearned runs, striking out five. Both unearned runs were scored in the bottom of the

seventh.

The Hawks bounced back to top Marian Central Catholic 6-0. Tyler Short picked up the win, going five innings, allowing five hits and striking out four. Touhy had two hits with a double and Andrew Lynn tallied a pair of RBI. Maine South took down Maine East 11-1 as Fleita had two RBI and Tim Schau had two hits. Jimmy O’Brien allowed one hit and one unearned run in five innings, striking out nine.

Maine South fell to Prairie Ridge 7-4 as Nick Cecela had two hits with a double and two RBI. The Hawks (4-7) fell to Hoffman Estates 16-10 as Tyler Short had two hits and three RBI. •Niles West picked up its first loss of the year, 4-3, against Maine West. Sam Rukin and Michael Gunartt each had two hits and Rukin went six innings on the mound, allowing six hits and three earned runs.

The Wolves (8-1) bounced back to beat Niles North 7-2 as Sam Butera went the distance, striking out 10 and allowing six hits and no earned runs. Christos Taunts had three hits and Gunartt had two hits and two RBI and Butera added two RBI.

9

PHOTO BY scott taylor

Maine South went 2-3 last week.

Send us your feedback at sweditor@buglenewspapers.com Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

Interesting ways to enjoy travel

Men and women over 50 comprise a large percentage of travelers

Research indicates that traveling is at the top of the list of interests motivating today’s men and women over the age of 50.

Seniors are perhaps the most likely demographic to indulge their love of traveling. Retirement leaves lots of time for recreation, and many choose to spend that time on the road. Travel also can be improve adult longevity, says geriatricians at the University of Arkansas.

Those in the travel industry understand that men and women over 50 comprise a large percentage of their customers and have catered many travel packages toward this influential demographic. The following is a look at some of the more popular travel opportunities for men and women over 50.

Genealogical tourism This is one of the fastestgrowing markets in vacation travel.

Genealogical tourism involves individuals traveling to areas of historical significance for their families, such as churches where past relatives may have married and villages where grandparents or cousins once resided or were employed. This can create a tangible link to one’s past and open up more opportunities to learn the varied genealogical history that has shaped a family, and even one’s personal identity.

Extended vacations Seniors may have the capacity to devote more time to travel and not be caged in by strict time constraints. That makes them eligible for extended vacations.

These can include long-term rentals in tropical locales, severalweek sightseeing cruises or guided tours overseas that touch on several different countries or cities during the trip.

Off the beaten path Adventurous travelers may not be content to stick to the resort lifestyle or standard vacation options. Active men and women over 50 are charting their own vacation courses with bucket liststyle vacations that may be off the beaten path. Travelers who have always aspired to climb a mountain or see a rain forest may be inclined to realize these goals as they get older. Nontraditional tours can include living like indigenous peoples or following the footsteps of early explorers.

All-inclusive tours All-inclusive packages remain a popular option for travelers of all ages. These vacation packages charge one price for accommodations, entertainment, sightseeing, food, and many other amenities. All-inclusive vacations remove some of the headaches associated with organizing various components of travel so that a person can focus on relaxation and having fun.

Singles meets Single vacationers over 50 may want to meet other men or women in their age bracket in the hopes of finding romance. These vacations double as relationship mixers and give men and women the opportunity to mingle with others in similar situations without the pressure of traditional dating.

Seniors increasingly embrace travel because they have both the time and the means to take vacations.

News about local businesses in your community T hursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

11

Dave Says

Talk about boundaries with pushy pops dave says

By Dave Ramsey

Dear Dave, My husband and I are just starting to get control of our finances, but we have a problem.

My dad has a habit of expecting us to buy things for him. I know he has money, but anytime he knows we’re going to the store, he gives us a list of things he wants. If he’s with us, he just throws things in the cart and expects us to pay. He acts like

calendar | from page 5

APRIL 26

Mental Roadblocks: How Your Brain Can Keep You From Making Wise Financial Decisions. 7 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Speaker Jennifer Pagonis explains how the five cognitive processes that are hardwired into our brains often make financial decisions challenging, and how how to overcome them. “Mental Roadblocks” is part of the annual event, Money Smart Week, created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002. For the week of April 23-30, 2016, the Morton Grove Public Library will provide programs to further the goal of Money Smart Week, to raise public awareness about personal finance. To register for this event, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847-965-4220.

APRIL 28

Chicago’s Sweet Candy History. 10:30 a.m. -12 p.m. at Niles Public Library, 6960 Oakton. This

If it’s paid for, do you sell it?

we have an obligation to do all this for him. I love my dad, but this has become annoying. What can we do?

Christina Dear Christina, I know you love your dad, but he sounds like the kind of guy who doesn’t really respect boundaries.

And these kinds of folks, as a rule, don’t like it when they’re suddenly confronted with them. Regardless, you need to have a firm but loving talk with your dad. Let him know how much he means to both of you, but remind him that you and your husband are working hard to get into better financial shape.

This means you can’t spend more than is absolutely necessary. If he’s hungry, have him over for dinner.

If he just needs one or two small things, that’s not such a big deal.

But you’re not obligated to pay his way just because he’s your dad.

Like I said, he may or may not like this conversation. He may fuss and throw a little fit, but at that point it becomes his problem, not yours. Chances are he’ll come around in a week or so, and after he gets over the embarrassment of it all, everything will be all right again.

You aren’t an unloving or ungrateful daughter for not letting him run all over you. Talk to him in a kind, respectful way. If you feel you can’t stand up to him alone, ask your husband to lend support or put a voice to your wishes.

—Dave

illustrated lecture by Leslie Goddard complements our Sweet Home Chicago exhibit. You have probably tasted many of the candies made or invented here: Brach’s Caramels, Snickers, Milky Way Bars, Wrigley’s Gum, Cracker Jack, Baby Ruth, Butterfingers, Tootsie Rolls and Frango Mints. Come have some delicious fun as you learn the history of these tasty treats!

event, visit www.mgpl.org or call 847965-4220.

RSVP by phoning 847-673-9300.

Mosquito Abatement Seminar. 7 to 8 p.m. at Niles Township, 5255 Main St., Skokie. Dr. Nasci will help you learn how to protect your family and pets from disease as the warm weather approaches. To reserve your seat at the presentation

Senior Expo. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Golf Mill Shopping Center, 239 W. Golf Road, Niles. The expo is designed to link seniors who need products and services with vendors who provide them. To sign up for the screenings which will be done in

7 Steps to Home Buying. 2 p.m. at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. This workshop will be packed with great info for first-time home buyers and investors. Daryl Evans will discuss the ins and outs of qualifying for a mortgage and explain how to avoid the common mistakes.

“7 Steps to Home Buying” is part of the annual event, Money Smart Week, created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002. For the week of April 23-30, 2016, the Morton Grove Public Library will provide programs to further the goal of Money Smart Week, to raise public awareness about personal finance. To register for this

Dear Dave, I’m debt-free except for my house. I make about $120,000 a year, and I have a truck that’s worth around $33,000 and a car that’s worth $28,000. I don’t have an emergency fund, so I was wondering if I should sell the truck to establish my emergency savings.

Eric Dear Eric, A good rule of thumb is to never have more than half of your annual income tied up in things that go down in value. You’re not quite there, but you’re close. And I love your idea of wanting to immediately

APRIL 29

establish an emergency fund. You never know what life is going to unexpectedly throw at you, and an emergency fund is great insurance against that sort of thing. Here’s how I look at it. Nothing you’ve told me indicates that this truck represents anything being out of control. It’s an expensive truck, but it’s not like you make $30,000 a year and have a $33,000 truck. But if you don’t need or want the truck — and you’re that passionate about having a big, instant emergency fund in place — then sell it!

—Dave

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven 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.

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. Two raffles—the first at 11:15 a.m. and the second at 12:15 p.m.—are also on the agenda.

12

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Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com police | from page 3 “I think a full-time person – instead of having a more reactive model, I’d like to have a more proactive model.” he said. “The police department gets a lot of calls [dealing with mental health issues]. To be able to connect those resource, to connect to the agencies in town, [a full-time position] would be the best way to do it.”

Kaminski presented an official job description for what would be the new full-time position. While most of the description dealt with the sort of services a social worker already provides, many aldermen took issue with the last third of the description. It called for the social worker to “assist with the Police Chaplains program and the Community Strategies Bureau in community presentations and/ or programs; and continually [seek] to determine the needs and expectations of the community in order to improve police services.”

Moran felt that this aspect of the job went beyond anything that was previously discussed. “[You previously said] we needed a full-time person because of continuity,” he said. “This is a new, different story. We’ve taken a social worker and turned it into a social worker/community liaison.

Why change it now?”

Kaminski said that he didn’t feel he introduced anything new. The outreach aspects, he said, were

natural aspects of a social worker’s job.

“We want to try to connect [mental health] services to everyone in the community,” the police chief said. “This is not a PR program.”

Milissis said that he had reservations similar to Moran’s, explaining that he didn’t quite see how that aspect of the job fit what was discussed before.

Knight said he felt that, as it was written, the job description was too broad. He asked to see more specific goals and objectives, and he felt that the chief didn’t provide enough justification for expanding the position.

Mazzuca echoed his colleagues’ concerns “I think these are two jobs that are being stuck together, that aren’t really the same job,” he said, adding that he wasn’t convinced that two part-timers couldn’t handle the same tasks just as well.

Terri Schmidt, a Park Ridge based social worker and a chair of the Park Ridge Community Health Commission, said that social workers take on a wide variety of responsibilities, and that what the job description suggested wasn’t unusual.

“Social workers are phenomenally resourceful and wear lots of hats,” she said.

Schmidt argued that having one full-time employee that area mental health service providers could talk to would be better for

13

everyone involved.

“I think having a point person in the department for all the agencies would be a gift,” she said.

Paula Belser, the director of community health relations at Advocate Lutheran and chair of the Healthier Park Ridge Coalition, argued that hiring a fulltime social worker would be more financially prudent in the long run, since it would allow him to address mental health issues more proactively, addressing potential problems before they become more expensive to deal with.

In the end, Knight said that he would encourage Kaminski and other interested parties to bring more information to support the position to the next City Council meeting, which will take place on April 18.

“I would trust that people who support this would bring more substantive information to support changing the position from parttime to full-time,” he said.

On his part, Moran said he didn’t feel Kaminski informed the aldermen about all that the full-time social worker position would entail until the April 11 meeting. He didn’t necessarily have a problem with expanding the position – it was what he saw as a lack of information that was his sticking point.

“I see the need for it, I understand where you’re coming from,” said Moran. “I’m not trying to downplay it.”

14

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district | from page 1 through several incarnations, but its overall purpose remained the same – to figure out the best ways to build safe and secure communities and address issues facing students and their families.

According to Mary Rose, the NTYC chair, the Town Halls have been an annual event for about 10 years.

The coalition wanted residents to get a better idea about what they did, as well as to have a forum where residents could provide feedback. Starting with last year’s town hall, students were invited to participate as well.

As the Town Hall got underway, Rose said that the discussion topics came out of the feedback provided during the April 2015 meeting. She said that there were four major issues that the attendees wanted to know more about - gang activity in Niles Township, how to create leadership roles for high school

Thursday, Apri l 21, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com students, gun violence and how to get elementary schools involved.

NTYC decided to focus on the first two.

Vincic, who serves as Niles West High School’s school resource officer, handled the first topic. He explained that gang members in Niles Township tend to fall within two types – youth that “consume gang propaganda” and gang members who live in the township but go to Chicago to conduct actual gang activities. “They might reside here, visit friends and stuff, but they do [gang] activities outside the area.” said Vincic.

He said that in recent years, social media has become an increasingly important part of gang life – both as a recruitment tool and as a way to attack members of rival groups.

They use YouTube and other video platforms to insult rivals and claim territory by showing footage of street signs.

Vincic said that gang members tend to wear clothing with writing

commemorating friends’ deaths, or anniversary of deaths and arrests. Clothing with two-color combinations used to be another common feature, but it’s not as widespread as it used to be, and is largely limited to Latino gangs.

How would parents know if their kid joined a gang?

“Ask them,” said Vincic. “They might come out and say it.”

But if they don’t, use of gang slang is a sign, as is drop in school performance, gang graffiti in books and increased secrecy about who their friends are and where they’re going.

Dammy Dosu, a member of the Niles North student government and Students Organized Against Racism club, spoke up to express his reservations.

“I’m curious how people are being identified as gang members,” he said. “I see tagging here and there, and I’m not seeing any of this.”

Vincic replied that presence in schools was, indeed, minimal.

“We do see gang members in social services agencies, in therapy,” said Rose.

Tatiana Haughton, a Niles North student and another SOAR member, had her own question.

“Why would gang members want to come to the suburbs?” she asked.

“From my experience, it’s [because] it’s a lot safer out here,” replied Vincic. “They live here, they don’t want to do [anything dangerous] where they live.”

“People come and go from the area all the time,” added Rose.

One of the adults in attendance said she saw gang members at the Old Orchard Mall, which she said was an ideal venue to sell drugs and recruit members.

Caroline Benjamin, the Director of Student Activities at Niles North, cautioned everyone in attendance about jumping to conclusions about students.

“With a diverse district, we must be mindful of that,” she said.

In a later interview with the Bugle, Benjamin elaborated.

“It’s easy to make assumptions based on certain characteristics,” she said. “I feel we should be careful about our assumptions with gang attire in relation to race.”

Benjamin also told the Bugle that the she would have preferred that the town hall focused more on student activities.

“I think when we start talking

about activity that divides us, it’s diverting the conversation from something that empowers us,’ she said. “To me, it’s the activities that bring us together.”

During the middle portions of the meeting, students from various organizations and clubs in Niles North and Niles West talked about their experiences.

After the presentations ended, everyone in attendance split up into groups to discuss how they felt about the meeting and what issues they felt deserved more attention in the future.

Some of the concerns that wound up emerging included finding ways to reduce stigma around mental health services, encouraging under-performing students to achieve more, putting more resources into classes that weren’t honors or special education, and providing diversity training for district staff.

At the closing of the meeting, Szczepaniak sought to address concerns about the gang presentation. He said that, during last year’s town hall, the fatal Sept.

28, 2014 shooting of Niles North senior Maxwell Gadau was still fresh on many people’s minds, and parents accused NTYC and the district of hiding information.

Szczepaniak said that he appreciated the concerns that were raised this time around.

“I think it says that we have to try to talk more to each other,” he said.

After the town hall ended, he thanked Dosu for speaking out, saying that getting the concerns out in the open was ultimately for the best.

Send us your feedback at nweditor@buglenewspapers.com Wednesday, APRIL 20, 2016 | ni lesbug le.com

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Begin planning kids’ summer recreation now There are many different options when it comes to planning for kids Many families spend winter figuring out how to chase away cabin fever and endure frigid temperatures until spring and summer mercifully return. Parents thinking ahead to swimming pools and days lounging on the beach can put their daydreams to practical use by planning ahead for their youngsters’ summer vacations. Youth recreational programs and summer camps can bridge the gap in care between the end of school and the day when classes resume. Due in part to high demand, parents who want to place their kids in summer rec programs or summer camps should being vetting such programs and camps well in advance of summer.

The following are a handful of tips for moms and dads who want their kids to have fun and fulfilling summers.

Ask for recommendations Speak with fellow parents and trusted friends about where they send their children.

Personal recommendations can be very helpful, providing firsthand insight into a particular camp or program.

Schedule appointments to visit camps that fall within your budget. Take your son or daughter along so he or she can get a sense of what camp will be like.

Summer camp options abound Summer camp is a beloved tradition in many families. Many parents of young children fondly recall spending their summers at summer camp, where they made lifelong friends and learned the finer points of roasting marshmallows and competing in three-legged sack races. Parents looking for the right summer camp for their kids will soon discover there are various types of summer camps, each offering youngsters something different.

The following are some of the summer camp options parents can expect to encounter as they search for the right camper for their kids.

Day camp Day camps are not overnight camps, which means kids will return home each night rather than sleep over at camp. Day camps typically offer many of the activities people have come to associate with camps, including crafts, sports and even day-trips to experience local culture or attractions. Many day camps are co-ed, and counselors typically live within the community.

Faith-based camp Faith-based camps offer many of the same

stock image

Summer school recess will be here before you know it.

Make sure you’re prepared for camp and other recreational programs.

Explore all options Camps come in more flavors than ever before. Certain camps may be faith-based ministries while others may focus on particular sports.

Band camps and art camps may appeal to creative kids. Also, there are plenty of generalinterest camps that offer various activities without narrowing in on any particular one.

Parents may need to choose between a sleepaway camp or day camps, depending on which camp experience they want for their children.

Inquire about camp schedules activities as more traditional summer camps, but do so while simultaneously offering campers the opportunity to celebrate and further explore their religious beliefs. Some faith-based camps may focus heavily on religion, incorporating faith into daily camp activities, while others may be more subtle with regard to integrating religious beliefs and lessons into camp activities.

Sports camps Some summer camps focus on a particular sport, catering to young athletes who want to further develop their athletic talents. Sports camps may feature guest lectures and lessons from notable local athletes and coaches, while some camps may provide instruction from current and/or former professional athletes.

Some sports camps are overnight, while others are day camps.

Family camps Family camps are opportunities for the whole family to enjoy the summer camp experience.

Family camps typically tailor their activities around tasks families can complete together, with counselors providing assistance when it’s needed. Family camps may be faith-based or secular, and families typically stay overnight, sleeping in facilities on the campsites or in lodging away from home.

While many camps are flexible, day camps do not have the same level of flexibility as after-school programs. Arrangements will need to be made if care is required after regular camp hours. Speak with camp staff to see which types of after-hours programs, if any, are available.

Determine your camp budget As varied as program offerings may be, camps also can vary greatly with regard to cost. Government-run camps may be less expensive than those offered by private companies. Day camps typically cost less than those that provide room and board.

Find out if a particular organization subsidizes a portion of camp costs.

Scouting programs often have a dedicated camp and may offer affordable options for scouts. Martial arts schools and dance centers frequently offer camp schedules.

If camp seems out of reach, look into local summer recreation programs at parks or schools. Such programs may not be as extensive as those offered by camps, but they can quell kids’ boredom and keep children occupied during the day.

In addition to camp, remember to plan for some free days so children can just enjoy some downtime.

Such days can break up the monotony of a routine and provide kids and families time to relax together. Summer recreation may be far off, but it is never too early to start making summer plans, including finding camps and other activities for kids.

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Wednesday, APRIL 20, 2016 | bug lenewspapers.com