Niles 8-13-15

AUGUST 13, 2015 VOL. 59 ISSUE 45

MLb hit king returns to Chicagoland area

see page 7

Featured Sports

Pete rose returns

NEWS Park Ridge Mourns

Funeral services held Monday for Ald. Robert Wilkening see page 2

SCHOOLS finger foods

District 63 considers biometrics for school lunch sales see page 3

FORUM Come to order

Reduce stress, increase productivity by using small pockets of time see page 5

SPORTS on The Green Coyote Run rewards the smart players as much as risky ones

see page 8

SCHOOLS Classrooms first

District 219, District 67 partner on Classrooms First initiative see page 14

Niles public works holds supply drive for District 63 students

By Tracy Gruen | FOR THE BUGLE etting ready for a new school year is an exciting time for students, and the Niles Public Works department held a school supply drive last week to help local scholars prepare for their first day back. fred Braun, superintendent of streets, and other staff members from the public works department stood by the entrances of Jewel-osco, located at 8730 dempster st., and handed fliers to shoppers walking in the store. see ‘suppLies’ on Page 13

Photo By tRACy gRueN | foR the BugLe

fred Braun of the Niles Public Works department, left, receives a bag filled with school supplies from shoppers, who were asked to purchase and donate various school supplies.

Thursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

City mourns death of Ald. Robert Wilkening Recently elected alderman began serving Third Ward in May By bugle staff nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

The city of Park Ridge announced that recently elected Ald. Robert Wilkening died last week from an

undisclosed illness.

Wilkening was elected to the city council in April and began serving as Third Ward alderman in May. However, he had been absent from several recent council meetings due to illness.

Acting Mayor Marty Maloney addressed Wilkening’s absence during the Aug. 3 city council meeting, saying the 39-year Park Ridge resident was dealing with a medical issue but was asked by the family not to elaborate.

Wilkening is survived by his wife of 40 years, Gail, and two adult children. Visitation was held Sunday, Aug. 9, at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge. His funeral was Monday at Parke Funeral Home and proceeded to St. Paul of the Cross Church for Mass at 10 a.m.

Wilkening was the President of Wilkening & Company Management Consultants, which was founded in 1989. He previously served two four-year terms on the District 64 Board of Education, where he served as chairman of the finance and personnel committees and participated in three teacher-union contract negotiations.

This is the second time this year that the city of Park Ridge is mourning the death of one of its city council members. In

Courtesy of the City of Park Ridge

Ald. Robert Wilkening was elected to the city council in April and began serving as Third Ward alderman in May. March, Mayor Dave Schmidt died suddenly from an undisclosed illness.

On Monday, Maloney said Third Ward residents who have any questions or concerns should contact city officials. The city

cancelled Monday’s committee of the whole meeting in observance of Wilkening.

For more information on funeral arrangements, visit www. ryan-parke.com/notices/RobertWilkening.

T h ursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

3

Raise for community development director draws protests Council passes 12 percent raise 4-2

By Igor Studenkov for the bugle

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

A discussion on whether to approve a raise for Jim Testin, director of the department of community preservation and development, turned contentious at the Park Ridge City Council’s Aug. 3 meeting.

City Manager Shawn Hamilton proposed raising Testin’s salary from $111,925.06 to $125,000, representing a 12 percent increase. He argued that Testin’s

performance on the job, the improvements he made within the department and revenue his department brought in to the city justified the raise.

However, several aldermen appeared skeptical of the proposed bump in pay. Second Ward Ald. Nicholas Milissis questioned whether Testin deserved a raise, while Sixth Ward Ald. Marc Mazzuca accused Hamilton of trying to recreate a deputy city manager position behind the city council’s back.

“Do you believe he’d be a good candidate for deputy city

manager,” the alderman asked.

Hamilton said this wasn’t what his proposal was about and that he would only answer questions related to the raise.

According to an agenda memorandum, Hamilton originally proposed the salary increase during a Feb. 17 workshop for the fiscal 2016 budget.

The council and late Mayor David Schmidt asked for more information, which Hamilton wasn’t able to provide before the budget deadline.

In recent months, the city manager and acting Mayor Marty Maloney have discussed the proposal, agreeing that Hamilton would bring it to the council in

Schools

District 63 considers biometrics for school lunch sales

By Igor Studenkov for the bugle

nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

Students at East Maine District 63 schools may soon be able to get school lunches simply by tapping their fingers.

On Aug. 5, David Bein, chief school business official for the district, gave the Board of Education a presentation about potentially using biometrics in school cafeterias. The students would place their finger on a scanner, and the fingerprint information would be linked to their account. Parents would need to give the school permission to collect fingerprint information, and other options would be available for students whose parents don’t want to opt in to the program.

Bein explained that the current payment system was at the end of its useful life, requiring some kind of replacement. Biometrics would simplify the current process, and it wouldn’t require students to keep track of a payment card or memorize passwords.

The board gave Bein a go-ahead to research that option further. He told the Bugle that it would be a few months before the research is complete, and it would probably be a few more months before the

board makes the final decision.

Bein explained that the current process used by junior high school students is fairly straightforward – they swipe school IDs that are linked to their lunch accounts.

For elementary school students, the process is more complicated.

Before going to a cafeteria, each student picks up a printed ID card, which the cashier scans and drops in to a box. After lunch periods, the cards are sorted and put back for students to pick up the next day.

However, the cash registers have either reached the end of their useful life or are on their way there, according to Bein. This means that the district must find a replacement system.

The current system had several weaknesses, Bein said. Cards could get lost, and some parents have complained about unexpected charges, stemming from students who sometimes buy lunches for their friends.

Bein said he was looking into the system created by Geneva-based PushCoin, which uses tablets as cash registers and allows students would to use fingerprints instead of cards. The software wouldn’t capture the image of a fingerprint, according to Bein. Instead, it would convert the pattern of a fingerprint into an encrypted digital code. Under District 63

policy on biometric data, that code would be destroyed no later than 30 days after a student graduates, transfers out or otherwise leaves the district.

One of advantage of PushCoin’s system is that it doesn’t have any upfront costs.

“They provide the system and the hardware, and they make their money through transaction fees,” he said.

Bein told the Bugle that those fees vary but are capped at 2 cents per transaction.

Board member Walter Gluzkin asked what would happen with students whose parents opt out of the biometric system. Bein said there would be alternatives, such as ID cards or a pin pad.

Board member Sheila Urban said the district would need to educate parents about the biometrics system if the district decides to move in that direction.

Bein agreed and said educating parents about “what it is and what it isn’t” would be part of the process.

After getting board approval to look into a biometric option, Bein said he would research PushCoin and Heartland Payments Systems, which currently handles the district’s cafeteria payments, as well as other vendors. After gathering the information, Bein said he would bring his analysis and recommendation to the board.

August.

Hamilton told aldermen that there are several reasons why he recommended the raise. He noted that the increase was in line with the average for similar positions in other Chicago area municipalities.

Hamilton added that, since Testin was hired in 2012, department revenue increased from about $900,000 to a little more than $1 million. He also credited Testin with improving the department’s response to community complaints.

Additionally, Hamilton said Testin has taken on more responsibilities and helped the city manager with project planning.

After the presentation, Mazzuca

questioned how the city would afford the bump in pay.

“With this increase, what will we cut from the city expenses to pay for it,” Mazzuca asked, citing Park Ridge’s troubled finances.

Hamilton explained that there was more money in the budget than expected because some vacant positions have gone unfilled. He added that the raise would not freeze hiring in the future.

If the council did not approve the 12 percent increase, the agenda memorandum noted that Testin would be eligible for a 2 percent increase -- similar to any

see raise | page 13

www.cookcountycrimestoppers.org • 800.535.stop Thursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

village news > niles

Worker arrested after firing several shots into air Several weapons found in suspect’s vehicle By bugle staff nweditor@buglenewspapers.com @NilesILNews

A Prospect Heights man was charged with a felony last week, after police say he fired several

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 Michael A. Thomas, 46, 900 block of West Wilson, Chicago, was arrested at 2 p.m. July 30 in the 5600 block of Touhy for retail theft.

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Andres J. Acosta, 23, 8300 block of Odell, Niles, was arrested at 12:53 a.m. July 31 in the 8300 block of Odell for possession of cannabis.

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Paul B. Gerlach, 56, 700 block of Sylviawood Avenue, Park Ridge, was arrested at 11:45 p.m. July 31 in the 7000 block of Touhy for driving under the influence.

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Agata Mucha, 43, 5 Old Gormley Lane, Kinnelon, New Jersey, was arrested at 11:34 a.m. Aug. 1 at Golf Mill Center for retail theft.

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Joseph J. Rivas, 35, 4200 block of West Kimball, Chicago, was arrested at 10:41 p.m. Aug. 3 in the 7500 block of Waukegan for a warrant.

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Denise A. Gata, 57, 8200 block of Wisner, Niles, was arrested at 4:35 p.m. Aug. 4 at Golf Mill Center for retail theft.

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Park Ridge

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John Donofrio, 57, 900 block of 61st St., Downers Grove,

shots into the air outside of a Niles business.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Otto Robert Mata-Huertas, 36, with reckless discharge of a firearm.

According to Niles police, a

Niles police said investigators searched his vehicle and recovered a semiautomatic handgun, a steel machete, two gun magazines, a pair of handcuffs with key and a box cutter. Investigators later recovered a .40-caliber Beretta handgun from Mata-Huertas’ residence that they say was used in the incident.

.40-caliber shell casings at the scene, but were unable to immediately locate MataHuertas.

Investigators from the Niles Police Department conducted a surveillance of the business and took Mata-Huertas into custody without incident when he returned to work Aug. 3.

witness observed Mata-Huertas and another individual sitting in a vehicle outside of a business in the 7400 block of Lehigh at approximately 2:40 a.m. July 31.

The witness told police that MataHuertas, a temporary employee at the business, fired a handgun into the air several times.

Niles police recovered multiple

was arrested at 11:18 p.m. July 27 at Interstate 294 and Dempster for DUI. Juan Torres, 45, 4100 block of West Nelson, Chicago, was arrested at 8:03 a.m. July 28 at Brophy and Higgins for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, no valid insurance and no valid driver’s license.

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Pawel Piatek, 38, 9000 block of West Golf Road Apt. 21, Des Plaines, was arrested at 12:52 a.m.

July 30 in the 300 block of South Redfield Court for driving in the wrong lane, DUI-alcohol, improper lane usage and improper turn.

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17 15

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18

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Jacob Campbell, 18, 300 block

10 of South Vine, Park Ridge, was arrested at 1:20 p.m. July 21 in the 1700 block of West Dempster for retail theft and theft.

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1

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Giovanni Reyes, 20, 8100 block of Wisner, Niles, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. July 30 in the 500 block of Sylviawood for possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Ioan Iordanov, 20, 1100 block of Potter, Park Ridge, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. July 30 in the 0-100 block of Sylviawood for possession of cannabis.

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Rosalba Marpe, 44, 400 block of North Root Ave., Park Ridge, was arrested at 1:16 a.m. July 31 in the 400 block of North Root for domestic battery.

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Kyriakos T. Panagakis, 32, 1000 block of Austin, Park Ridge, was arrested at 10:39 p.m. Aug. 2 in the 1000 block of Austin for criminal

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damage to property, two counts of domestic battery and battery.

the 9200 block of Maple for criminal damage to property.

19 arrested

Morton Grove

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Dale G. Christoffersen, 62, Skokie, was arrested Aug. 4 at Dempster and Oak Park for driving while license revoked.

Nicholas K. Briscoe, 29, Des 20 Plaines, was arrested Aug. 5 at

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Michael Kifarkis, 20, Skokie, was arrested Aug. 4 at Dempster and Austin for driving while license suspended.

Samuel J. Wyatt, 42, Chicago, was arrested July 26 at Dempster and Belleforte for no valid driver’s license.

Wajahat U. Khan, 18, Des Plaines, was arrested July 31 in

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Ruben Padilla Jr., 19, was Aug. 4 at Churchill and Merrill for driving while license suspended.

Dempster and Athletic for possession of controlled substance and driving while license suspended.

Send us your feedback at nweditor@buglenewspapers.com

T h ursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

5

come to order

Make waiting time productive EDITORIAL

Reduce stress, increase productivity by utilizing small pockets of time

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ANDREA EARNEST aearnest@buglenewspapers.com

815.436.2431 ext.118

PRODUCTION

LAURA KATAUSKAS • MARK GREGORY • MIKE SANDROLINI

I recently was on my way to a client, when she called to say she had a lastminute emergency and needed to push our start time back an come to order hour. with sue becker Since it wasn’t feasible for me to go back home, I parked near her house and spent the next hour making phone calls, writing a few thank you notes and reading. I was grateful that by having planned my day the day before, I had with me not only a list of phone calls to make and notes to write, but also the materials to get those tasks accomplished. I also had a couple of magazines with me to read.

My informal survey of a variety of sources showed the average American spends an average of 45 to 62 minutes

every day waiting. That’s a staggering amount of time, especially considering that most people feel that they don’t have enough time in the day.

So where do we do all this waiting?

Some of it is where it’s difficult to do much more than just wait: in traffic or in line at the grocery store. But then again, maybe you’d find it helpful to use such time to do those deep breathing exercises you’ve been meaning to get to or to make a mental list of what you’re grateful for.

I was “lucky” that my delayed appointment gave me a large block of time, so I was able to get a lot accomplished. But even if I’d had only five minutes or so, I could have made one phone call, written one note, addressed an envelope or read an article. Any one of those accomplishments might not seem significant, but doing a little bit here and a little bit there with small bits

AUGUST 13

or alcoholic beverages allowed in park.

Concerts are weather permitting. For more information, visit www.niles-parks.org.

ADVERTISING

Movies in the Park–Paddington.

8 - 10 p.m. at the Main Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge. Come early for concessions and face painting. This free event is for all ages. For more information, visit www.prparks.org.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES Phil Besler

pbesler@buglenewspapers.com 815.436.2431 ext. 107

Joliet, Crest Hill Lockport, Romeoville Nicole Austin

naustin@buglenewspapers.com 815.436.2431 ext. 105

Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Westmont, Woodridge & Lisle 4

ENTERPRISE NEWSPAPERS, INC. 23856 Andrew Road #104 Plainfield, IL 60585 Phone: (815) 436-2431 Fax: (815) 436-2592 MON - FRI: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pat Ryan

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Plainfield, Shorewood

Maureen Vitacco mvitacco@buglenewspapers.com 815.436.2431 ext. 108

Niles, Morton Grove, Des Plaines & Park Ridge

ADVERTISING DEADLINES. Space and copy deadlines for display and classified ads is at noon the Friday before date of insertion. Email classifieds@buglenewspapers.com | Legals, obituaries and happy ads are due at 12 p.m. Friday.

Email announcements@buglenewspapers.com.

Email Legals@buglenewspapers.com EDITORIAL DEADLINES. Calendar & News: 3 p.m. Monday, three weeks before date of publication. sweditor@buglenewspapers.com

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.

Movies in the Underground: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

4 p.m. at the Niles library. It’s Throwback Thursday! Revisit popular high school movies from the not-too-distant past. Pizza will be served during “intermission.”

Job Seekers: How to Work a Job Fair. 7-8:30 p.m. at the Niles library.

Learn how to work a job fair to your advantage and success. Presented by Bob Podgorski, RPP Enterprises. Please register by calling 847-663-1234 or online at www.nileslibrary.org/calendar.

AUGUST 14

BBI. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Oak Park on Lee and Ottawa in Niles. Down Home Family Fun will be happening at Oak Park. Come out to Niles Park District’s last concert of the season. BBI can take you back to the 70’s and 80’s with ease. Party to your old school hits and rock the last concert night away. The Niles Park District offers the free Summer Concerts at Oak Park. Food will be available for a nominal fee. No dogs

Live Bibliobop with Miss Michelle. 10-10:45 a.m. at the Niles library. Join us for a special concert guest at Bibliobop! Miss Michelle brings her guitar and will have young and old alike wiggling, giggling, and singing along. Little ones can join in with maracas, rhythm sticks and scarves.

AUGUST 15

Job Seekers: Informational Interviewing. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Niles library. Master this technique to seek career advice, increase your visibility, generate contacts or gain company and industry knowledge of a potential workplace. Presented by M. Gahbauer, Career Development Center, Loyola University Chicago. Please register by calling 847-663-1234 or online at www. nileslibrary.org/calendar.

AUGUST 17

Yoga for Kids. 4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m. at the Niles library. Join us the third Monday of each month to learn yoga poses and breathing techniques and feel relaxed and energized afterward. No experience needed. Please bring a large bath towel with you and wear comfortable clothes.

Caregivers need to stay in the room with children through grade 2. Ages 4 and up.

of waiting time can add up to substantial achievement.

Imagine how much more productive and less stressed you might feel if you made better use of small pockets of waiting time. For example, when waiting at the doctor’s office, you could read, or just close your eyes and enjoy shutting out the world for a while. If you wait as long as I sometimes do, you may imagine your doctor has done the same thing!

My point is not that every waking minute of your day should necessarily be filled with activity and being productive.

But if you’re feeling like you need more time in your day, it may be there if you only look for it.

I’d love to hear what you discover about making the most of the time you spend waiting.

Sue Becker is a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization who helps individuals and businesses discover the simplicity, harmony, and freedom of being organized and productive. She also speaks to companies and organizations about how to get organized and make the most of their time. Sue can be reached at www.PilesToSmiles.com or 630-724-1111.

Bubble and Squawk Cookbook Discussion. 7-8 p.m. at the Niles library. Ever wonder if a cookbook is right for you? Every other month we will have a discussion on a cookbook. Choose a recipe from a book selected, make the recipe and bring the completed dish to the discussion.

The night of the discussion we will sample the dishes and discuss the recipes and the book. This month’s cookbook will be Salad as a Meal by Patricia Wells. Participants must bring a dish to participate. Copies will be available at the third floor Adult Services desk. Please register by calling 847-663-1234 or online at www. nileslibrary.org/calendar.

AUGUST 18

Tablet Tuesdays. 3-4 p.m. at the Niles library.Have a tablet and need some help getting started? Drop in on any of the following Tuesdays to learn the basics of your iPad, Android tablet, or Kindle Fire, as well as ways to customize your device and install apps.

Job Seekers: 10 Things to Make Yourself More Marketable.

7-8:30 p.m. at the Niles library. Taking a good look at ourselves and how we present our selling points can be a deal breaker or a sale. Learn the top ten ways to market your talents and beat out the competition.

see calendar | page 13

FoR WhEN you WaNT To TaKE 5 minutes FoR youRSElF Thursday, aug usT 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

Aries

MARCH 21 TO APRiL 20

Your valiant efforts to gain approval turn into a two-edged sword. You may be viewed as manipulative or could feel as though you’re being manipulated by others. Use creativity to make key changes this week.

gemini

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

You may feel a lack of family connections in the upcoming week. It might be Mom and Dad, your spouse and kids, or your hometown and neighborhood that hold the power to make you feel safe and secure.

leo

J U Ly 2 3 T O A U G U S T 2 1

Joys shared are doubled. Someone close could get carried away with a harebrained scheme or exaggerate a situation during the next few days. Be reassuring and provide a positive influence to alter outcomes this week.

Across

Down

1 “SAy iT iSN’T SO!” 5 SLiCK 9 JAPANESE POEM WiTH 17 SyLLAbLES 14 MORE THAN SiMMER 15 NATURAL SKiN SOOTHER 16 CARAvAN STOP 17 ‘50S-’60S RAMbLERS, bRiEfLy 18 GRANd PRix SERiES dESiGNATiON 20 bRiNGS iN, AS SALARy 22 GEEKy TyPES 23 CONTROvERSiAL viETNAM WAR dEfOLiANT 26 ONETiME LENO ANNOUNCER HALL 29 SALT, iN fRANCE 30 “__ WE THERE yET?” 31 Add TO THE STAff 33 SERviNG AT POPEyES 36 GUTTER SiTE 37 AvON OR fULLER bRUSH WORK, E.G. 42 TOO 43 COUNTRy bUMPKiNS 44 “i HOPE yOU’vE LEARNEd yOUR __!”

47 PRO vOTE 48 LiTTLE WHiTE LiE 51 “__-HOO! OvER HERE!” 52 WHAT AL CAPONE LEd 56 COLLAR ATTACHMENT fOR SPOT 57 “MASH” SETTiNG 58 “SHH! dON’T TELL!” ANd HiNT TO WHAT CAN PRECEdE THE STARTS Of 18-, 23-, 37- ANd 52-ACROSS 63 CHEESy SANdWiCH 64 dANCE iN A LiNE 65 ACTRESS GARR 66 AUTObAHN AUTO 67 LiKE A TRUCK CLiMbiNG A STEEP HiLL 68 fLOWER PART 69 Tiff

1 WHiTE HOUSE fAMiLy 2 RESPECT THAT’S “PAid” 3 COiN WiTH A bUffALO, ONCE 4 dESiGNER MARyKATE OR ASHLEy 5 KLUTzy fELLOW 6 U.N. WORKER PROTECTiON GP. 7 dOONE Of ExMOOR 8 REd SEA REPUbLiC 9 “TExAS” POKER vARiETy 10 vERy SMALL bATTERiES 11 PREfix WiTH METRiC 12 KiTH ANd __ 13 ExPLOiT 19 HANKERiNG 21 bUTTON THAT GETS THiNGS GOiNG 24 SANdWiCH COOKiE 25 RARiNG TO GO 26 AiRLiNE WiTH fAMOUSLy TiGHT SECURiTy 27 SyMbOL Of PEACE 28 HAiR COLORiNGS 32 vEGETAbLES iN POdS 33 THE “b” iN Tv’S

fORMER THE Wb NETWORK 34 “yOUR POiNT bEiNG...?”

35 TARGET CiTy fOR GOdziLLA 37 TyNE Of “JUdGiNG AMy” 38 MARGARiNE 39 __ bUCO: vEAL diSH 40 SCUbA diviNG AREA 41 NOT TiGHT 45 fAMiLiAR AdAGE 46 EvENiNG, iN AdS 48 iNfLAME WiTH ENTHUSiASM 49 MARCOS WiTH A SHOE COLLECTiON 50 “TAKE A HiKE!” 53 vERifiAbLE fiNdiNGS 54 “SNOWy” WAdER 55 SAUCE TOMATOES 56 “OTHELLO” CONSPiRATOR 58 HERE, iN LE HAvRE 59 TRUCK WEiGHT UNiT 60 NbC LATE-NiGHT COMEdy HiT 61 bEfORE, iN POETRy 62 TiNy diCKENS bOy

librA

SEPTEMbER 24 TO OCTObER 23

Talk is cheap. Your charming words can soothe the savage beast and delight admirers. Don’t get involved in a new romantic relationship in the week ahead, however, as it might not live up to expectations.

sAgittArius

NOvEMbER 23 TO dECEMbER 22

Don’t force a point and turn it into an issue. The appropriate information will eventually rise to the surface, so you don’t need to dive in and stir things up. People will tend to jolly you along this week to avoid a spat.

AquArius

JANUARy 21 TO fEbRUARy 19

Listen for the starting gun. You may be left behind at the gate if you simply keep plodding along. Be willing to embrace new ideas in the week ahead. People find you attractive and desirable, so don’t argue with fate!

Sudoku

tAurus

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

Do your homework. It’s in your best interest to stay current and on top of the latest news and data. Let others know how you feel and you may be surprised by a sudden change in behavior in the upcoming week.

cAncer

J U N E 2 2 T O J U Ly 2 2

You may mingle with those who only see the glass as half full. The see-saw between pessimism and optimism in the week ahead might mean that someone refuses to agree with you or makes promises he/she can’t possibly fulfill.

virgo

AUGUST 22 TO SEPTEMbER 23

Some say you’re sly as a fox. You can pick up the scent of confidential information and put it to good use in the week to come. Someone might be suspicious if you’re too curious. Be discreet, not gullible.

scorpio

OCTObER 24 TO NOvEMbER 22

There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Of course, no one in their right mind would harm an innocent animal, but this saying may remind you to try different methods in the week ahead.

cApricorn

dECEMbER 23 TO JANUARy 20

Remain reasonable in the face of obsessive ideas. You must be careful to not offend the very people who care about you the most in the week ahead. Re-evaluate plans to invest resources or spend your nest egg.

pisces

fEbRUARy 20 TO MARCH 20

Your energy level is likely to improve as this week flies by. Take notes if a friendly stranger brings unusual ideas to your attention. A special someone might like to try something different in the week ahead.

Jumble

Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2015

PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS

PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS

PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS

Jumbles:

• GNOME • CRUSH • POCKET • WEASEL

Answer:

WHAT THEy GOT WHEN THEy WORKEd iN THE COffEE SHOP -- LOTS Of “PERKS”

Thursday, August 13, 2015

page 7

>> INSIDE: College players hone skills on local teams page 9

baseball

pete Rose

Returns MLB hit king coming back to Silver Cross Field Aug. 19

By Mark Gregory sports reporter

mark@buglenewspapers.com @Hear_The_Beard

It has been more than a decade since Pete Rose has been to Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet.

Since then, the team has a new name, new owners and play in a new league, but still want the advice that comes with the Major League Baseball hit king.

Rose will return to Joliet Wednesday, Aug. 19 as a special, one-day, hitting coach for the Joliet Slammers.

“He has been here before when his son was playing, but he hasn’t been here in a while, so we are excited to bring him back,” said Slammers Assistant General Manager Heather Mills.

Rose will be in uniform and coach first and third base for an inning for the Slammers as well as talking to the team before the first pitch. This will be Rose’s first on field appearance in uniform in the Chicagoland area since 1989.

He will be available to meet and sign autographs with fans on the concourse for a $40 fee. Vouchers are needed for the autograph and must be purchased prior to the game.

For those wanting an even closer experience, the event will open with a VIP meet and greet in the Joliet Area Sports Hall of Fame. The meet and greet

package costs $114 and will include a reserved seat ticket to the game, a Slammers baseball to be autographed by Rose, a photo of each participant with Rose, and the opportunity to hear a short speech by Rose.

Regular ticket prices for the game are also different for this game, as club level tickets are $18, reserved are $15 and lawn seats are $10.

The Slammers are expecting to see ticket sales increase, but that is not just the one-time attendance bump the Slammers are looking forward to.

“Of course, we are looking forward to the increased ticket sales, but more importantly, we are looking to bring out people who have never come out before,” Mills said. “We still have people out there who don’t realize there is professional baseball in Joliet. Since we released this, we have had a lot of people coming out who have never been here before. We are looking forward to showing what we have to people who love baseball.”

During his playing days, Rose played 24 seasons with the Red, Phillies and Expos.

He holds the record for most hits in a career with 4,256 as well as the record for most career singles (3,215), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), and plate appearances (15,890).

see rose | page 10

file photo

Pete Rose last attended Silver Cross Field more than a decade ago when the Joliet JackHammers were the home team. The Joliet Slammers will bring Rose back to the Joliet ballpark Aug. 19.

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Thursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

column Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Water comes into play on several holes on Coyote Run, including the par-3 13th.

risk and reward Coyote Run rewards the smart players as much as risky ones For the first time we reviewed a course south of Interstate 80 as we played Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor.

The course starts with four consecutive short par-4s, a great chance to start off you round with some great scoring.

The first hole plays just 360 from the tips and 33 from the white tees.

You have to drive over water and there are bunkers that could trap up a long drive just short of the green and a bunker to the left of the green.

Next is a 339-yard par-4 that plays straight and slightly uphill at the green. It is a large green, but it is important to hit your approach to the right area or a three-putt could ensue.

The third hole is 348 yards and has bunkers off the fairway and a bunker in front of the green, to the right.

It is followed by a risk-reward par4, my favorite hole on the course.

That is because I drove the green and

made birdie. It plays just 280 from the white tees, but plays over some water and a large group of bunkers in front of the green. Unless you can play a fade, which is my natural taylor’s take shot, laying by scott taylor up is the best option. I was able to bend it left-to-right around the bunkers and up to the green.

The fifth hole is just 135 yards from the white, but is 215 from the blue. It, too is played over water, although it shouldn’t come into play, similar to the previous water holes.

So, from the white tees, you shouldn’t have more than a wedge as an approach into the greens (at least I didn’t), through the first five holes. Unfortunately, my iron game

is struggling right now and I made four bogeys with the birdie.

The sixth hole offers another short wedge approach shot. It plays at 500 yards that doglegs right with a creek in front of the green, almost forcing a layup. The green has a big slope from front to back, so it is important to land on the same side as the hole.

The seventh hole is a difficult par4 at 373 yards. Water lines the left portion of the fairway, making the hole play longer as you have to bail out right. A 133-yard par-3 follows (over water) and the front nine finishes with a 533-yard par-5, which bends right.

The back nine starts with a dogleg left par-4, which plays 420 yards and is slightly uphill at the green.

The 11th is a 163-yard par-3 and is followed by a short, but difficult par-4. At just 306 yards, the fairway shrinks towards the water in front of the green, making it a challenging driving hole.

The 13th is another par-3 over water and the 14th is a straightaway par-5 at 491 yards. The 15th hole is another risk/reward hole at 305 yards with a dogleg right. The fairway slopes towards the water on the right, and there is out of bounds left. Many

will lay up and hit an iron into the green over the water. I went for the green and landed in a perfect spot, 50 yards short and left of the green, nearly out of bounds. Of course, I still failed to make par. It does get very tight around the green.

One more par-3 over water (161 yards) follows and then there is the final par-5 at 510 yards, which doglegs left.

The final hole is a slight dogleg right that plays just 340 yards but with bunkers surrounding the greens.

Overall I enjoyed playing the course. It offered good scoring holes and risk/reward holes. They also had some holes where you had to play smart and take your medicine.

Unfortunately, with all the play out there (which is a good thing as well) the greens are filled with ball marks. While this might affect your putting from time to time, it is still worth coming out to play.

The fact that it is just $52 during the week to play for nonresidents is even more reason to make the trip to play the course. The weekend fees are very reasonable as well at $62.

All in all, this is definitely a place to visit.

Overview coyote run Location: Flossmoor, Illinois best feature: First four holes play short for good early scoring potential. quick tip: There are several holes where players need to play smart.

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T h ursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

PHOTO BY mike sandrolini

Skokie resident Matt McTague played with the Park Ridge Padres this summer.

baseball

College players hone skills on local teams By mike sandrolini For the bugle

@Voyager_Sport

The baseball season for colleges and universities usually wrap up sometime in May, except for those teams that make the playoffs, of course.

Their seasons extend well into May, and even into June if a D-I team is either knocking on the door of—or advances to—the College World Series.

But when the season ends, a good percentage of players don’t

simply go home for the summer like they did back in the day.

They play collegiate summer league ball to get additional game experience and improve/ fine-tune their skills.

Examples of such leagues in the Chicago area include the six-team Midwest Collegiate League, in which the DuPage County Hounds, Lexington Snipes, Northwest Indiana Oilmen, Michigan City Lakers, Joliet Admirals and Southland

see college | page 10

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Thursday, aug usT 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com CoLLege | from page 9

featurIng

Brendan Shanahan

seNioR CAtCheR, doWNeRs NoRth BAseBALL hoW MuCh tIMe Do You sPeND oN tWItter?

Not every day; once in a while when I get bored. hoW MaNY foLLoWers Do You haVe? I’m at around 190 right now.

Who Do You LIKe to foLLoW? salvador Perez (catcher) with the Kansas City

royals. I just like it because I grew up watching him play and I find him to be a role model.

Is there aNYthINg You LIKe to Do IN PartICuLar oN tWItter?

Just look at the cool cars and houses and beach houses and that kind of stuff.

Vikings compete.

Closer to the Niles Bugle coverage area, however, is the Metropolitan Collegiate Summer Baseball League of Illinois—formerly the Metro Thoroughbred League of Illinois—which has existed since the late 1970s.

Teams from communities such as Crystal Lake (Cardinals), Wheaton (White Sox), Palatine (Bulldogs) and Rockford (Rays), are in Metropolitan League, as well as two clubs based locally: the Des Plaines Patriots and the Park Ridge Padres (formerly the Park Ridge Indians).

Players who are part of these teams mainly come from schools throughout the Midwest, but it’s not uncommon to see a few players on each team’s roster from around the country.

A case in point is Patriots’ catcher-first basemanoutfielder Eric Schneider, who graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, Calif., and will be a senior at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., where he hit .339 with 28 RBI in 46 games this past spring.

Playing in the area for the summer not only gives Schneider an opportunity work on his game, but to see his father, who lives in Barrington.

“I like the Chicago summers and we looked up this team two years ago as a sophomore and it’s a great experience,” he said.

“Good competition, fun. I got to be near my family so it’s a good experience.”

Ironically, Schneider went to Stonehill College on a football scholarship, but he has dislocated his shoulder three times in recent years and missed playing for the Patriots last summer due to shoulder surgery (he is no longer playing football).

Schneider was out of the lineup during the early part of the Patriots’ 2015 season because of a fractured left (catching) hand which he suffered toward the

rose | from page 7 During his career, he was a Rookie of the Year, a 17 time All Star, , MVP, World Series MVP, and three time World Series Champion.

He was banned from baseball and is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown because he bet on baseball.

end of his college season this year. He saw his first action of the summer in mid-June when the Patriots faced the Padres in a double-header.

“It’s good,” Schneider said in reference to his hand. “I’m very excited to get back at it and show everybody what I can do.”

Zac Charbonneau, in his third year as manager of the Patriots, is an assistant baseball coach at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

“They’re just looking for opportunities to play whether they’re driving in from Naperville, Wheaton, Crystal Lake or Durand, Ill. … I’m not sure where that is,” he said with a grin (Durand is west of Rockford). “There are some college coaches that really want to make sure their guys get some opportunities to grow and play in the summer, and maybe there are other guys who don’t want to take any time off and want to be out there and get better for their school season.”

Eric Ignatowski, third-year manager of the Padres who is an assistant at Division III Millikin University in downstate Decatur, said he sits down with each of his players to learn what their goals are for the summer.

“It’s my job to get them ready for the fall (season),” Ignatowski said. “They have to go into the fall at their schools, whether it’s D-I or D-III, be better and be prepared.

“I try to talk to every guy individually and see what they want to work on. Some guys are dual position (players) and they want to pitch and be a position player, so I get you innings in the infield and get you innings on the mound. Whatever they need I try to help them out as best I can.”

Skokie resident and 2013 Niles North graduate Matt McTague is one such player. McTague, who’ll be a junior this fall at Concordia College, appeared in 20 games on the mound this past spring

for the Cougars, going 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA. He’s continued to shine with the Padres, and was named Padre Pitcher of the Week for Week 3 after appearing in five of the team’s six games during one particular weekend.

He pitched nine innings over that stretch, allowing just one earned run while striking out six.

But McTague also played third base during the first game of the Padres’ doubleheader against the Patriots, who have two of his Concordia teammates on their squad: catcher Kevin Coppin and outfielder Cliff Krause. Also playing for the Patriots this season is Niles West grad Gabe Dwyer, a catcher at UIC who started 20 games for the Flames during the spring. He didn’t see any action with the Patriots early in their season as he was recovering from a foot fracture.

“You’re just trying to get your work in,” said McTague, in his second summer with the Padres.

“Not trying to do too much, just getting your work in. and get better going into the fall. You face competition from every collegiate level, from NAIA , junior college, D-II, D-III, D-I so you see a lot of different guys.

There’s really good talent in this league for the most part.”

The Metropolitan Collegiate Summer Baseball League of Illinois uses wooden bats, which as you might expect, change the dynamics of the game for players who are used to swinging metal or aluminum bats.

“It’s a lot harder to square up on the ball and it gives them (pitchers) an advantage,” McTague said.

“You’ve got to play better defense and (do) a little more hitting behind runners,” Charbonneau said, “because (getting) that extra base hit is fewer and farther between, especially early in the year because it takes guys a little time to get used to swinging the wood.”

Recently, Rose was part of the MLB All-Star game in Cincinnati and is trying to get reinstated by new Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Mills said the Slammers jumped on the chance to bring one of the best and most controversial players in history to Joliet.

“He has been talking to the Commissioner recently about being reinstated and when we realized he was available to come out here, we jumped on it,” Mills said. “He has been to a couple of the stadiums in our league, but nobody in the Chicago area in independent ball had had him.”

News about local businesses in your community T h ursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

Dave Says

Bridge the gap with a side income Homeownership when you’re broke is never a good idea

going that will create income?

If you could make even $1,000 to $2,000 a month, it would change the picture entirely. You guys would be able to keep your home and have a little breathing room while you get your Dear Dave, real estate career off the My wife and I are ground. thinking about selling our Looking at it from a home. I was recently let long-term perspective, if go from the military due you’re selling a bunch of to downsizing, and I’ve houses a year or two from begun a job in real estate now, you’re in the clear. but things are starting Dave Says money advice by You could easily stay in slowly. My wife brings dave ramsey the house. But if you don’t home about $3,500 a find extra income while month as a teacher, and the only debt we have is our house you build your business, if you’re payment of $1,616 a month. I was not willing to work extra hard and given a $35,000 severance package, sacrifice in the meantime — even but we need some advice to help if it means just delivering pizzas — then you probably need to sell the bridge the financial gap. Any ideas?

Erik house.

It takes about six to nine months Dear Erik, Having little or no income is a to start making a living in the lot harder than a variable income residential real estate business. So situation.Your wife is bringing home look at it this way: the more houses good money, but at the moment you sell, the less time you spend your house payment is almost half delivering pizzas. All this really that amount. Are there some things hinges on is how badly you want a you can do on the side while you’re career in real estate and how much getting your real estate business you guys want to keep your home.

If you want it enough, you’ll do what it takes to get there. And for the time being, that’s going to mean supplementing your income with something on the side while you grow your real estate business!

—Dave

Pay off debt first Dear Dave, We’ve made an offer on a house we really like through a first-time buyers program. Now, after looking over our budget and debts again, my wife and I are having second thoughts. We haven’t signed or turned in any paperwork yet. What do you think we should do?

Craig Dear Craig, I wouldn’t go through with the deal. I advise people to be debt-free before buying a home, because you want a home to be a blessing, not a curse.

Homeownership when you’re broke is never a good idea. And basically, that’s the situation you’re describing.You have debt, and you’re trying to squeak into something with a first-time buyers plan. The translation? You have no money.

Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. That’s Murphy’s Law, and he’ll move into your spare bedroom along with his three cousins — Broke, Desperate and Stupid. Get your debts paid off, build up an emergency fund and save up a good down payment before buying a home. I know that’s not the popular answer, but it’s the smart one!

—Dave Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books.

The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8.5 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations. 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 ursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com raise | from page 3 other unionized staff member.

Mazzuca said a 12 percent salary increase would set a bad precedent, as other employees might demand similar raises.

Milissis also had concerns, saying he wasn’t sure a 12 percent raise could be justified.

“The nature of our finance situation doesn’t change between a director and a patrolman,” Milissis said. “2 percent is reasonable.”

He suggested that if Hamilton wanted to justify a larger raise, Park Ridge should survey businesses and residents to get a sense of how the department is doing. Having seen progress in the department, Milissis said he supported a 2 percent increase but would vote against a 12 percent raise.

supplies | from page 1 Public works staff explained that they were collecting supplies for local schools and asked shoppers to purchase and donate items on the list, such as folders, notebooks and backpacks.

“It’s been going great,” said Jack Grana, utilities superintendent for the public works department.

“There are some really generous shoppers out here.”

Braun said they were close to filling one public works truck

calendar | from page 5 Presented by Bob Podgorski, RPP Enterprises. Please register by calling 847-663-1234 or online at www. nileslibrary.org/calendar.

AUGUST 19

Adult Volunteer Information Session. 1011 a.m. at the Niles library. Adults interested in learning more about volunteering at the Library can attend this 45-minute discussion of volunteer opportunities, followed by a brief walking tour of the Library.

Please register by calling 847-6631234 or online at www.nileslibrary. org/calendar.

Book Discussion: The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman.

1-2 p.m. at the Niles library. Join us for a book discussion of The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman. Copies of the book can be found on the second floor of the library.

AUGUST 20

Niles Songwriters Group.

Mahoney said he was sympathetic to those concerns but was inclined to support Hamilton’s proposal.

“I don’t dispute that 12 percent is a big number, but I know that, in the time I’ve been here, the department has been running better than I’ve seen before,” he said.

Fifth Ward Ald. Daniel Knight said he thought the surveys Milissis suggested were impractical and could also set a bad precedent.

The city council approved the raise 4-2, with Mazzuca and Milissis voting against the proposal.

The council will discuss the sergeants’ contracts in an open session at the same meeting, after aldermen voted 4-3 against moving the discussion to closed session.

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The Park Ridge City Council

received an update on two separate union contracts – one for Park Ridge Police Department patrolmen and one for police sergeants.

The patrolmen contract would be the first signed since they chose to switch from Fraternal Order of Police to Teamsters for their representation.

Most notably, it increases the employee health insurance contributions from 10 to 13 percent and removes bonus sick leave hours for employees that had an average of less than 16 hours during a five-year period.

After some discussion, aldermen agreed that they had no objections to the latest contract. The city council will vote on whether to approve that contract during the Aug. 17 meeting.

The Park Ridge City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the existing intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Park Ridge Park District regarding the Uptown Tax Increment Financing District.

The Uptown TIF was created in 2014 to encourage redevelopment in the eponymous section of Park Ridge. When a TIF is created, the amount that gets collected in

property taxes is frozen. When the taxes are raised, the increase gets deposited into a TIF fund.

Because a TIF effects revenues of school districts, park districts and other taxing bodies, municipalities usually make agreements that provide the other taxing bodies a share of TIF funds.

Under the newly approved amendment, the park district will get 1.29 percent of the annual amount deposited into the Uptown TIF fund. It also specifies that if a new agreement, legal settlement or court order increases the percentage of TIF revenue shared with Maine Township High School District 207, the percentage shared with the park district would increase proportionately.

with supplies and were hoping to fill a second truck, as well. He said those items would then be delivered to Mark Twain School, where volunteers would sort the items before they are distributed to schools in East Maine School District 63.

“There’s a lot of action to help with the food pantry, but you never really hear about school supplies,” said Braun, who organized the drive. He said it is something different that the public works department could do to help out

community members.

Nicole Espinoza of Niles Family Services works with the local schools, and she said many families do need assistance with supplies.

“At each school there are different needs,” she said. “In the future, we’d like to expand it.”

Annette Olbrisch, who donated a few bags of school supplies, said her family has lived in Niles for many years and they were happy to donate items for families that need assistance.

“That’s just what we do,” said Olbrisch. “We’ve always been very supportive of things going on in the community.”

Braun said an organization from a nearby community is planning to donate 50 backpacks to help their school drive. And because the drive was going well, he said they would like to assist schools outside of District 63 if they have extra supplies.

“If we get enough, we can go to other private schools and public schools,” said Braun, who added

that they would like this to be an annual event.

Danette Matyas, a trustee on the Niles Village Board, said there are a lot of people on fixed incomes and they benefit from events such as these.

“I think it’s phenomenal what they’re doing,” Matyas said of the public works supply drive.

Many shoppers had smiles on their faces, as they left the store and happily handed public works employees bags filled with school supplies.

7-9 p.m. at the Niles library. Local songwriters meet to discuss their craft and share their music. Acoustic instruments are welcome.

prparks.org.

ace an interview? Want to join LinkedIn or Twitter? We’ll show you how to navigate lynda.com and LearningExpress to help in your job search. Bring earbuds or use our

headphones to watch tutorials. Bring your resume in electronic format to upload to job postings. First 20 minutes, staff will demo resources.

Walk-in. No registration required.

Council considers police contracts

AUGUST 22

Family Movie: Cinderella. 2 p.m. at the Niles library. Join us for a free big-screen movie and a movie treat!

Open Help Tech Desk. 9 a.m. 12 p.m. at the Niles library. Have tech questions that no one can answer?

We can help! The technology experts from FireLogic will be hosting a three hour open-door session for any and all tech questions. Patrons will be helped on a first come, first served basis by certified FireLogic staff. Please, do not bring in desktop computers.

Laptops, tablets and smartphones are welcome.

AUGUST 23

Pirate Day. 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Hinkley Pool, 25 Busse Highway, Park Ridge. Pirates are taking over Hinkley Pool! Bring your lads and lassies to search for ‘pirate booty’, participate in peg-leg races, and more high seas fun. For more information, visit www.

AUGUST 24

Lego Club. 4:30-5:15 p.m. at the Niles library. Kids in grades K-8 can join us on the fourth Monday of each month to create Lego masterpieces!

Caregivers need to stay in the room with children grades K-2.

Book Discussion: Let Him Go

by Larry Watson. 7-8 p.m. at the Niles library. Join us for a book discussion of Let Him Go by Larry Watson. Copies of the book can be found on the second floor of the library.

AUGUST 25

Doctor Who DIY. 7-8:30 p.m. at the Niles library. Food, trivia, crafts and games in anticipation of the ninth series of Doctor Who! For grades 7-12.

Please register by calling 847-6631234 or online at www.nileslibrary. org/calendar.

Job Seekers: Learn with Lynda.com and LearningExpress.

6:30-8 p.m. at the Niles library. Need to write a resume, hunt for jobs, or

Uptown TIF agreement

TWITTER: Readers, Send us a #selfie of you reading @Buglenewspapers & you could be featured in an upcoming issue!

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Thursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

Schools

Area school districts to partner on Classrooms First initiative

education

Board of Education approved the agreement July 30

Golf School District 67 is joining the Classrooms First partnership, following the approval of an intergovernmental agreement by the District 219 Board of Education at its Aug. 4 meeting.

The District 67 Board of Education approved the agreement at its July 30 meeting.

According to District 219, the Classrooms First partnership will provide all District 67 students with a consistent, family-friendly school experience from kindergarten to the day they graduate high school.

Officials added that the resulting articulation between the elementary and high school districts will help to ensure that students will be ready for college.

“Golf School District 67 is thrilled to join District 219 as a partner in the Classrooms First Initiative,” District 67 Superintendent Beth Flores said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community and stakeholders but most of all for our students.”

Under Classrooms First, the high school and elementary districts will work together closely to make sure that every student has learned key, specific academic concepts at the appropriate grade level, before moving on to the next grade.

Teachers will help students monitor

submitted photo

District 219 Board of Education President Mark Sproat (left), District 67 Superintendent Beth Flores, District 219 Superintendent Nanciann Gatta and District 67 Board of Education President Richard Toth stand for a picture at a recent Board of Education meeting. their individual progress so they, and their parents, know if they are on track to succeed. If not, specific interventions will be implemented to help the students achieve the targeted outcomes.

“We look forward to embarking in the collaborative work with teachers and administrators to plan educational experiences for our students that will prepare them for high school, college and careers, and a successful future,” Flores added.

Goals of the Classrooms First initiative include: focusing on literacy and on science, technology, engineering and mathematics as a distinct part of elementary and secondary curricula; aligning curricula between the elementary and high school district; creating operational efficiencies; providing increased access to educational infrastructure to the elementary school district; establishing a uniform system of curricular targets and accountability; and increasing

high school and college readiness.

“The Classrooms First initiative will help both districts achieve their shared goals for student achievement,” District 67 Board of Education President Richard Toth said. “District 67 will benefit from a renewed focus on literacy and STEM in our elementary school curriculum.”

In August 2014, District 219 and the Skokie/Morton Grove Elementary School District 69 entered into a Classrooms First agreement. District 69 students attend Niles West, while District 67 students attend Niles North.

“We welcome our first Niles North sender school district into Classrooms First,” said District 219 Superintendent Nanciann Gatta. “We are excited to have new collaborators at the table as we seek to create world-class opportunities for the students in our township.”

For more information about the partnerships, visit www. classrooms1st.org.

o b i t u aries Feiter

Elisabeth Feiter, nee Pehl, 83, beloved wife of the late Frank; loving mother of John (Leanne) and Frank (Marie); and dear grandmother of Lauren, Erika, Brandon, Hana and Frank.

Visitation was at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, Aug. 1 from 10:30 am until time of service at 12:30 p.m. Interment at Maryhill Cemetery.

For more funeral information, call 847-966-7302 or visit www.skajafuneralhomes.com.

Dechert Lt. Cmdr.

Esther A. Dechert, a retired lieutenant commander with the U.S. Navy; was the devoted daughter of the late Frank and Anna Dechert; fond aunt of David (Cathy) Dechert and Nancy (Alan) Swirsley; loving great aunt of Nicholas and Nathan Dechert and Adam and Nicole Swirsley; and dear sister of the late Mae Dechert and the late Edward (Joan) Dechert.

Dechert was a career Naval officer for 24 years. She served her last command at Great Lake Navy Base. Visitation was Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Interment at Ridgewood Cemetery.

For more funeral information, call 847-966-7302 or visit www.skajafuneralhomes.com.

submitted photo

Brian Williams comes to TLC from Evanston’s Youth Organizations Umbrella, which he joined in 2004 as a youth development specialist.

East Maine appoints TLC director Brian Williams to lead District 63 afterschool program

The East Maine School District 63 Board of Education approved theappointmentofBrianWilliams as director of the district’s total learning community program.

The afterschool program serves more than 275 K-8 students, providing homework help and enrichment programs in areas such as art, music, drama and sports. TLC also offers spring and summer vacation programs, a basketball league, open gym nights and teen programs.

“I’ve always been passionate about working with youth – it’s something I’ve focused on throughout my career,” Williams said. “District 63’s TLC is an exciting next step for me; it’s an incredible program with an amazing history and a strong community reputation. I’m excited to jump in and build on TLC’s track record of excellence.”

Williams comes to TLC from Evanston’s Youth Organizations Umbrella, which he joined in 2004 as a youth development

specialist. After moving up to become assistant program director for several YOU youth initiatives, he spent a year and a half as 4-H youth development educator with the University of Illinois Extension. Williams returned to YOU in 2012 to serve as program director.

Williams, who holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and business from Northeastern Illinois University and a master’s in nonprofit administration from North Park University, received the 2010 YMCA Award for Excellence in Youth Services.

“TLC is unique, providing a key service to our students, their families, and the larger community,” said Scott Clay, District 63 superintendent.

“Because of its affordability, families who might otherwise be unable to access afterschool and summer care are able to place their children in high-quality programming on-site at our schools.

“Mr. Williams’ extensive experience running youth programs will ensure that TLC continues its legacy of fine, childcentered service.”

TLC is offered at all seven District 63 schools. For more information, visit www.emsd63. org.

Easy tips for a healthy lifestyle #buglehealth T h ursday, Aug ust 13, 2015 | ni lesbug le.com

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stress Healthy ways to handle stress

S

tress affects people of all ages. The symptoms of stress can be extremely unpleasant, as participants in a study released earlier this year by the Statistic Brain Research Institute and the American Institute of Stress who reported experiencing physical symptoms of stress admitted to feeling fatigue, headache, upset stomach, and muscle tension, among other things.

Among those who reported feeling physical symptoms of stress, 77 percent admitted to feeling those symptoms regularly, citing job pressure and money as the primary causes of their stress.

How men and women handle stress can impact both their immediate and long-term health, as stress has been linked to a host of problems and ailments, including sleep dysfunction and heart disease. Many people cope with stress in unhealthy ways, which may only exacerbate the effects of stress on the body.

Certain methods of handling stress may work for some people but not others, but the following are a few healthy ways to combat stress.

Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption Many adults turn to alcohol at the end of a stressful day, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that relying on alcohol to cope with stress may only create more problems down the road, and those problems will only increase your stress levels. In addition, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America notes that alcohol and caffeine can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.

Rely on a support network Coworkers, family and friends have stressful days, too, and such confidantes can help you handle stress in healthy ways. The ADAA recommends men and women dealing with stress let their support circle know how they can help relieve stress. Many people simply need to talk to someone after a stressful day, which can feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. Let your support network know you’re there for them when they experience stress as well.

Get daily exercise Exercise pays a host of dividends, not the least of which is relieving stress.

At the end of a stressful day, get some exercise instead of pouring yourself a drink or indulging in an unhealthy meal. When the body is physically active, the brain secretes endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that make you feel good. Regular exercise also helps you get a fuller, deeper sleep, which can be disrupted by stress.

Eat a healthy diet Diet also can affect how your body handles stress. Certain foods can tame stress. For example, oatmeal can boost levels of a calming chemical known as serotonin in your brain. That calming effect can make it easier to cope with stress.

Other foods may help strengthen the immune system.

Vitamin C, for instance, may help curb levels of stress hormones such as cortisol while simultaneously strengthening the immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such

as salmon and tuna, may help prevent surges in stress hormones while also protecting against heart disease and depression, two

serious conditions that studies have linked to elevated stress levels. Healthy ways to handle stress can help men and women

who are stressed out ensure that stress is not compromising both their immediate and long-term health.

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