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THE REGIONAL NEWS Named best small weekly in Illinois five times by the Illinois Press Association

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities

75th Year, NO. 48 • 3 Sections

PALOS HEIGHTS

Hearing set on city’s tax levy

By Jack Murray

Photo by Dermot Connolly

Palos Heights officials will hold a public hearing Tuesday to approve the city’s proposed 2016 property tax levy.

The proposed tax levy excluding debt service is $7.724 million, which is an increase of 12.49 percent over the previous year.

The estimated total property taxes, including debt service, to be levied for 2016 are $8.187 million, an increase of 11.35 percent over the previous year. That total includes $462,488, most of which will pay for debt service on the bonds issued to rebuild the recreation center. It’s a decrease of 4.82 percent from the previous year.

Because of tax caps imposed by state law, property owners will not see such large increases on the city’s portion of property tax bills in 2017.

The tax cap law limits the amount the city will actually get from its tax levy increase to 5 percent, or the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower.

The CPI is estimated to be only .70 percent this year.

The public hearing will be held at 6:45 p.m. at City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive. Anyone who wants to appear at the public hearing to give testimony to city about the tax See TAX LEVY, Page 2

Palos Heights Girl Scout Daisy Troop 55320 members Brooklyn Cusack (from left), Natalia Makswiej and Isla Roditis adorn their troop’s entry in the tree-decorating contest in the Art Park. Contest awards will be presented during the second Holidays on Harlem, which begins this Friday.

Holidays on Harlem arrive

Kris Kringle Market this Friday night added to the mix

By Dermot Connolly Holidays on Harlem returns to Palos Heights for a second year this Friday and Saturday.

And as successful as its first year was, organizers say this weekend will be bigger and better than last year, with plenty of new attractions.

Put together by members of the Harlem Avenue Association business group, the event aims to bring the holiday spirit and shoppers to the downtown business district.

It will be held from 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. Satur-

day. Originally, it was focused on Harlem between 122nd and 126th streets, but this year, the festivities stretch between 119th and 127th streets, and as far as Ridgeland Avenue, taking in businesses such as Running for Kicks, 7158 W. 127th St. and San Juan Restaurant, 13440 S. Ridgeland Ave. Free trolley rides along the route will be available from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, and 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday.

That is one change from last year, when a horse and carriage provided rides.

New this year is an outdoor Kris Kringle Market, from 5 to 8

p.m. Friday, in the municipal lot where the farmers Market is held, at 12217 S. Harlem Ave. Vendors will participate, along with area crafters and artisans. Hot drinks and food items will be available.

Santa is scheduled to arrive at the market to visit with children at 6 p.m., the same time that Mayor Bob Straz is expected to turn on the holiday lights.

Another new attraction sure to be popular are hayrides, which will be offered in front of the Palos Heights Fire Protection District station at 12300 S. Harlem, from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Diane Goerg is a founding member of the Harlem Avenue Association, and there will be plenty going on around her Diane’s Place, 12306 S. Harlem Ave. An ice sculptor will be giving a demonstration outside from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, planned in cooperation with the city, and a jazz band will be playing inside at 6 p.m. Saturday. In addition to ice cream and food specials, free Granite City beer will be offered in the restaurant. A s’mores station will also be in front of the strip mall.

Photo by Patricia Bailey

Heights enters the holidays

The bridge entrance into Lake Katherine Nature Center for Palos Heights’ tree lighting ceremony last Friday was brightly lit with candy canes. Although they have been to Lake Katherine many times before, this was the first time for the tree lighting for Orla, her sister Molly, and their mom. An estimated 300 people turned out for the event, sponsored by the city and Palos Area Chamber of Commerce.

See HOLIDAYS, Page 2 More scenes on Page 3.

Cash registers ring in the season on Harlem Avenue Small Business Saturday® helps Heights shop local

By Jack Murray

Regional News editor Palos Heights’ downtown swarmed with holiday shoppers getting good deals from merchants participating in Small Business Saturday® last week.

Some 15 shops and restaurants up and down both sides of Harlem took part in the shop local movement created by American Express in 2010 to promote local small businesses. Its slogan is Shop Small®, and takes place the day after Black Friday, the start of the holiday shopping season.

“I try to get people to Shop Small® all the time,” said Camille Krecioch, owner of Camille’s Confections and Type Concepts

Inc., 12216 S. Harlem Ave. As the neighborhood champion for Palos Heights, she took on the job to rally her friends and neighbors in the business community to participate, and promote it to the public.

“American Express sends all this great stuff—stickers, buttons, flags, balloons and even paper crowns we distribute to all the business,” Krecioch said. She made sure the wealth of blueand-white promotional materials adorned participating storefront windows all along the commercial strip.

Shoppers with a sweet tooth came into her shop looking for her handmade English toffee. “I’ve been seeing it advertised forever,

but I swear I’ve never seen the sign for it,” said Adrienne Kazanecki.

She tried some free samples and browsed among several varieties of toffee and Gourmet PeanutButtle that Camille’s Confections makes and sells.

Two doors down, Computer Greeks manager Toby Georgiou served customers at the computer service and repair shop, which also sells new and used laptops, desktops, tablets and more. “It’s a great idea,” he said of Small Business Saturday®. “It’s nice to have the whole business community working as one. It’s like in the old days in these stores when Photo by Jack Murray everyone knew each other and helped each other out. If we help Small Business Saturday® Neighborhood Champion Camille Krecioch (from left), owner of Camille’s Confections and Type Concepts Inc. on Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights, greets shoppers Nikki Callozzo, Brian Duran, his

See SHOP LOCAL, Page 2 grandmother Lois Duran and Arlene McElree outside her store.

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2 Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Regional News

Tax levy

PALOS PARK

Continued from Page 1 levy may contact the city clerk’s office at 361-1800. The hearing is usually of short duration.

Most of the proposed levy increase is to meet police pension obligations, police protection and playgrounds and recreation, city Director of Finance Jan Colvin said.

The city has estimated its equalized assessed valuation (EAV) to capture any new growth in assessed property values, and must comply with the state’s tax cap law.

The EAV is the total assessed value of all property in the city.

The city’s real estate tax base is estimated to be $379 million last year. That’s at a record low since the housing market collapsed in 2010, Colvin said. It stood at $568 million that year, and declined by $100 million in 2011. It then fell by 7.8 percent in 2012, by 6.88 percent in 2013 and 1.75 percent in 2014.

“Since the housing market crashed in 2010, our EAV has been declining the past several years,” Colvin said. It has fallen back to close to its 2004 level of $355 million.

The city’s proposed tax levy

includes $1.540 million it will levy for the Palos Heights Public Library. The city library is not an independent taxing body, so the library board has no power to levy taxes.

The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2015 were $6,867 million. The property taxes extended or abated for debt service and public building commission leases for 2015 were $485,920.

The city’s portion of the total tax bill is about 15 percent. Property taxes fund roughly a quarter of the city’s total budget, which amounted to $27.8 million in 2016.

Supplied photo

Holiday vendors will sell gifts at Palos Park’s Holiday Market and tree lighting this Friday at the village Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. Shown are vendors from a prior Holiday Market.

Holiday Market, tree lighting will usher in village’s yuletide

By Michael Gilbert Correspondent

Not yet filled with festive cheer?

There will be plenty to be had at the Palos Park Holiday Market and tree lighting this Friday, Dec. 2.

“You walk out of there and you are ready for the holidays,” LeeAnn Fisk, the village’s director of recreation and parks, said of the annual event. “It’s such a great time.”

Commissioner Nicole Milovich-Walters was in full agreement when the topic came up for discussion at Monday’s Village Council meeting.

“It’s one of the nights I look forward to most throughout the year,” she said. “I never schedule anything that evening so I can always be there.”

The event, which was the brainchild of former Mayor Carolyn Baca about a dozen years ago, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Palos Park Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to join Mayor John Mahoney in lighting the village’s 15-foot outdoor Christmas tree and officially usher in the holiday season to Palos Park, Milovich-Walters said.

Prior to the tree lighting, attend-

ees can view the eight community trees located around the Village Green that were decorated by a variety of organizations and groups including the Palos Park Woman’s Club, Girl Scout Troop 60349, Palos Village Players and Citizens on Patrol Service (COPS).

Event-goers will be able to vote for their favorite community tree from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with the winner announced later on in the evening.

Inside the recreation center, the original “Miracle on 34th Street” movie will be shown on a giant screen while guests shop from nearly two dozen vendors selling their specialties.

“We have so many vendors this year that we are going to have some on the lower level and some on the main level of the recreation center,” Milovich-Walters said.

“You can do all your holiday shopping in one place.”

That goes for the younger attendees as well. Milovich-Walters noted the Palos School District 118 Parent Faculty Association will bring its “Santa’s Secret Shop” to the Tree Lighting and Holiday Market. The program, which is a staple at Palos West Elementary School, enables young shoppers to experience the joy and excitement of choosing their own holiday gifts for family and friends. The youths

are assisted by junior high students while browsing the merchandise and ultimately making a purchase, Milovich-Walters said. The items are then wrapped and returned to the children.

Guests are encouraged to bring their appetite as several vendors will be on hand to accommodate all tastes. Among the options for purchase are pizza from Aurelio’s and hot dogs from Edward Jones Photos by Jack Murray Financial Advisor. The latter will Bob and Bonnie Starzyk, of Palos Heights, leave Golden Shoes as very satisfied customers with four new pair of cost $1 with all money donated to charity, Fisk said. Francesca’s shoes sold at discount during Saturday’s Shop Small® event. will have wine and beer for sale and the Republic Bank will be giving away popcorn. The Boy Scouts will be serving coffee as well as chocolate covered pretzels and roasted peanuts.

Guests can also board a horsedrawn hayride outside the recreation center and traverse down Forest Glen Boulevard while singing Christmas carols and taking in all the sights.

“The Center does the hayride for us and it gives you such a nostalgic feeling,” Milovich-Walters said.

Around 400 people are expected for the tree lighting, which is free to attend.

“You don’t want to miss this event,” Milovich-Walters said.

“It’s going to be so much fun.”

Golden Shoes owner Marc Golberg serves Linda Larson inside his store crowded with customers on a busy Small Business Saturday® morning.

Shop local

Continued from Page 1

Photos by Dermot Connolly

The Harlem Avenue downtown business district in Palos Heights is lit for the holidays. The area will be aglow for Holidays on Harlem.

Holidays

Continued from Page 1 “It was very successful the first year, and we expect it will be even better now, since more businesses are involved,” said fellow founder George Rock, owner of Every Good Gift, in The Shoppes of Palos indoor mall, near Diane’s Place. His gift shop is offering 15 percent discounts throughout the event, as well as wine and snacks on Saturday.

“There will be two raffle baskets this year, one for adults and one for children,” he added. Raffle entry forms will be available in all participating businesses, and participants are asked to get the forms stamped at all the participating businesses.

“No purchases are required.

We just ask that people visit the businesses,” said Goerg. The baskets include merchandise and gift certificates worth hundreds of dollars donated by the participating businesses.

Diane Goerg shows two baskets of prizes on display in her restaurant, Diane’s Place. They will be raffled during Holidays on Harlem.

In addition to all the businesses and restaurants offering discounts and refreshments, Palos Animal Hospital, at 11917 S. Harlem Avenue, is also getting involved, with tours from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on

Saturday. Tours will include Teddy bear surgery, and bandaging demonstrations. PAWS Shelter will also have animals available for adoption onsite, as well as free refreshments.

everyone, everyone gets helped.”

Nearby Golden Shoes, 12212 S. Harlem Ave., buzzed with customers. Bob and Bonnie Starzyk came out of the store holding four pairs of shoes they just bought. “He’s wearing his brand new shoes,” Bonnie pointed to her husband’s feet. “We could not ask for better deals today.” Active in the community, Bob Starzyk chairs the city’s annual Classic Car Event.

The night before, the couple attended Palos Heights’ tree-lighting at Lake Katherine. “There must have been 300 people there,” he said.

Inside Golden Shoes, owner Marc Goldberg was fitting customer Linda Larson with a pair of shoes. “I got a card in the mail [for the Shop Small® event], she said.

“I buy most of my shoes here.”

A physical therapist recommended the store to her, she said.

Back outside, Michelle Sochacki, of Palos Heights, with her two children, Sophia and Edwin, in tow were headed there to buy new footwear. “We’re getting Christmas boots today,” Michelle said.

“We shop at all the local businesses. I shop everywhere.” Little Sophia regaled Camille Krecioch with a song from the play she will appear in, “Christmas at the OK Corral,” this Friday and Saturday at Chicago Christian High School.

It’s produced by the My Time to Shine musical theater program of the Palos Heights Recreation and Parks Department.

Quality Plus Photo Design Service owner Mike Weber called Small Business Saturday® “a wonderful idea, because people in the community need to support local businesses.”

“Brick and mortar businesses are very important to our local economy.” Weber added. “As a small business, we can give personalized service to our customers you just can’t get online. As a store, we can do more for people —it’s that one-on-one service.

Computer Greeks manager Toby Georgiou, wearing a promotional crown, gets into the spirit of Small Business Saturday® while helping customer Inge Hagedorn, a neighbor of store owner Steve Georgiou.

We deal with people’s memories, and what’s really important,” he said of the myriad photo services offered by the shop. He and his wife, Judi, own the photo services center, crowded with shoppers seeking to enhance their photo memories that morning.

The shop will offer classes, like Digital Camera 101, starting in January “for people who have little to no idea what they are doing,” Weber said. Quality Plus did business in Worth for 34 years before moving to its new location next door to the Palos Heights Post Office more than a year ago.

Holiday music played on speakers along the plaza as shoppers made their way from store to store.

At Chalet Florist, 12250 S. Harlem Ave., owner Tim Jackson showed customer Dianna Nelson poinsettias. “This is the first time I have been inside this store,” said Nelson, who bought what she called “a massive poinsettia” on sale at 10 percent off that morning. “I have ordered from Chalet Florist online many times.

I want to shop local.”

“We are having a good day — so good that we are trying to keep up,” Jackson said as he helped Nelson with her poinsettia. It was Jackson “who was kind enough to inflate all the helium balloons and help distribute them to fellow

business owners” for the special day, Camille Krecioch said.

“This is the place to be,” Doris Tortorici, of Palos Heights, said while shopping at Mona Lisa Boutique, 12330 S. Harlem Ave. “They have some really different things in here,” she said, appreciatively. Husband Phil relaxed in a comfortable chair near tempting refreshments as she browsed among the attractive displays of fine merchandise.

The elegantly appointed shop, decorated in high-holiday style, was filled with shoppers. “From the moment we opened, we were busy,” sales assistant Angelica Nolan said at the front counter.

Owner Wendy Evans Lundberg said: “It has been a crazy busy Small Business Saturday®, crowded with shoppers.” It was a field day for many of he store’s regular clientele. Wendy’s sister, co-owner Jill Evans, was pleased amid the holiday bustle in the fashionable boutique as she prepared to dive in to help.

In the front of the store, Lundberg pointed out specialty items, bearing the name of Palos Heights — guest towels, pillows and other gifts that read “Home Sweet Home, Palos Heights,” or “Palos Heights, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“It’s the 70th anniversary of that movie,” she said.

The Regional News

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Trial date for man accused in Palos parents’ slayings

By Dermot Connolly A Bridgeview man charged with helping his friend kill his parents in 2011 in their home in unincorporated Palos Park will go to trial early next month.

Christopher W. Wyma, 22, was a senior at Stagg High School at the Wyma time of the slayings of John and Maria Granat.

Cook County Circuit Court Associate Judge Neil Linehan set The tree lighting was moved this year from the firehouse on Harlem Avenue to Lake Katherine due to the need Jan. 9 as the trial date for Wyma. for more space and the efforts of event co-chairs Palos Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Barb Bergamo The date when jury selection is and board member Thomas Mintle, Schmaedeke Funeral Home director. Lake Katherine’s grounds had a seasonal expected to begin was set at a hearflair, with activities for families to enjoy, including reindeers sponsored by Schmaedeke Funeral Home. ing attended by Wyma on Nov. 22 in the Bridgeview courthouse.

Pre-trial motions are scheduled for Dec. 12.

Wyma was 17 and living in Bridgeview when prosecutors allege that he helped his friend, John Granat, slay his parents on

Heights lights the season at Lake Katherine’s shore

Sept. 11, 2011.

Wyma, who has been in Cook County Jail since his arrest on murder charges, is being represented by Cook County Assistant Public Defender Daniel Nolan.

Granat, who was 17 at the time also, called 911 that morning to report a home invasion, according to prosecutors, who said he told police he found his parents bleeding to death in bed. He was charged a few days later while Wyma and two other friends prosecutors say were involved in plotting and carrying out the murders continued attending school until being arrested Oct. 9.

Prosecutors said at their bond hearing that the teens plotted the couple’s murders over Skype, referring to the crime as a “concert.”

Ehab Qasem, then a 19-year-old college student living in Hickory Hills, and 16-year-old Mohammad Salahat, of Chicago Ridge, were also charged. Salahat was a junior at Oak Lawn Community High School and turned 17 a few days after the killings. The four teens

were indicted on 75 counts of murder, home invasion and robbery.

Prosecutors said Salahat stayed outside in the car while Wyma and Qasem went in and beat John and Maria Granat with baseball bats while they were lying in bed, according to published reports.

When Maria Granat remained alive after the beatings, Qasem and the younger Granat allegedly took turns stabbing her with a knife. She suffered as many as 20 stab wounds, according to the report by the Cook County medical examiner at the time.

Afterward, the four allegedly went to Wyma’s house to split up $35,000 found in the home.

Salahat was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty last March for his role in the alleged plot. Qasem, now 24, is being held in protective custody in the Livingston County Jail in Pontiac.

According to published reports, Granat is due for a status hearing before Judge Linehan on Dec. 6, and Qasem on Jan. 9.

Orland Lions Christmas tree lot open Photos by Patricia Bailey

St. Alexander School’s junior choir sang seasonal tunes from the balcony while being recorded by Palos Heights’ own Channel 4.

3

Orland Lions Club photo

Orland Park Lions Club Christmas tree sales started last Friday and will go on until they are sold out. The lot is located on the west side of La Grange Road at 142nd Street. New hours this year are Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. Those who are looking for a specific size tree can call the hotline number at 708-675-7403 or email orlandparklionsclub@gmail.com.

Dist. 218 Foundation awards mini-grants to teachers The Friends of Community High School District 218 Education Foundation awarded minigrants this week to eight teachers for a range of enrichment projects.

Aside from teacher grants, the Foundation funds college scholarships for students.

The Foundation awarded grants to 11 teachers. Examples include: Math teacher Meghan Carlson and industrial technology teachMaggie Mintle honed her skills as a face painter as she er Ron Rivera received funds Mayor Bob Straz and Santa Claus welcomed the crowd happily volunteered her time to make a little girl feel for their Geometry and Computand led a countdown to lighting the tree. special. er-Aided Design class.

Grant funds will purchase a Bosch T4B gravity-rise miter saw stand and DeWalt DWS780 12-inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw, and Pro-Series GSSI Multipurpose Scaffolding.

They will use these tools to build new ticket booths and for future construction projects.

English teacher Nikki Hite won a grant to buy a SNO (Student Newspapers Online) App that students can download from Apple Stagg High School’s Madrigal Singers enjoyed the minutes to catch up with their friends before their holiday performance.

The Brigid O’Malley Auditorium was packed with families enjoying crafts for children and snacks for all.

Supplied photo

Pictured are the teachers who won grants this fall from the Education Foundation of District 218.

and Android stores. The grant will support the cost of developing the application for her student newspaper.

The Foundation awarded a grant to science teacher Megan Brewczynski for kits to construct so-

lar-powered cars, while art teacher Jim Hart won a grant for a screen printing kit for his classes.

In all, the Foundation awarded more than $6,500 in grants to 10 teachers.

Orland Park mayor begins social media campaign to laud kindness Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin is launching a social media campaign to publicly recognize those who practice acts of kindness.

Using the hashtag OPKind on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, everyone is encouraged to seek ways to show kindness and to celebrate others when they demonstrate kindness.

“Orland Park Is Kind” is the theme of the mayor’s 2017 State of the Village Address to be held Thursday, March 9, at Carl Sandburg High School. Many of the tagged photos will be shared at the mayor’s State of the Village Address.

“When people see someone doing something nice in Orland Park, we want them to share these stories by using the hashtag OPKind,” McLaughlin said. “We know that

many of our residents, businesses, schools and groups are very active on social media and this is a way for us to join together to make a positive difference not only in Orland Park, but all over via social media.”

Everyone is invited to participate in the #OPKind Challenge.

To spread the word, the village is providing free “I Am #OPKind” stickers, asking people to share the stickers with those who demonstrate acts of kindness.

“We invite everyone to be a part of Orland Park’s kindness campaign — businesses, churches, schools, community groups — everyone,” McLaughlin said. “If you see an employee, family member, friend or neighbor doing something nice, take their picture and post it with the hashtag OPKind.”

Social media users are encour-

aged to take pictures of acts of kindness or describe people being nice and share them on social media — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest — tagging #OPKind. Those who distribute the #OPKind stickers should take pictures of the sticker recipients and briefly describe the act of kindness with the hashtag OPKind.

“This is a fun way to recognize acts of kindness both big and small,” McLaughlin said. “Using the hashtag OPKind, everyone can see the many acts of kindness happening every day in Orland Park.”

The #OPKind stickers are available at the information desk in the lobby of Orland Park’s Village Hall, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 403-6399.

4 Thursday, December 1, 2016

EDITOR’S CORNER

OPINION

The Regional News

Community Characters light Christmastime flame

By Jack Murray

Regional News Editor

Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights was something beautiful to see for the city’s tree-lighting celebration last Friday evening.

Some 300 people attended by all accounts, an impressive total considering this was the first time the event was held there. For decades, it was at the Palos Heights firehouse at the center of Harlem Avenue.

That’s a lot of people, considering it was Black Friday night after Thanksgiving. Some scenes are on Page 3. The whole festive array — complete with two live reindeer — vindicated Palos Area Chamber of Commerce board member Tom Mintle, director of Schmaedeke Funeral Home, who conceived of the idea. He and his co-chair Barb Bergamo, of CNB Bank and Trust, deserve a lot of the credit. The Palos Lions Club provided the tree. A cast of many created the wondrous atmosphere.

Mintle and his wife Kara are no strangers to community service. With aplomb, Tom emceed the McCord Gallery and Culture Center’s Spanish-themed gala last month. She wore lace, their daughters made lovely auction volunteers.

The very next morning was Small Business Saturday® on Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights. Camille Krecioch put her heart into her role as neighborhood champion to organize the local offshoot of the movement created by American Express to encourage people to patronize small businesses. She owns Camille’s Confections and Type Concepts. She knows and helps most all her neighboring business owners. Our story is on Page One. The Shop Small® event Saturday morning was a joy to behold. The mood was infectious all along the central business district. We ran into Community Characters in their own right — Lois Duran, who volunteers at The Center, Children’s Farm and on the Palos Heights Beautification Committee and Bob and Bonnie Starzyk. Bob is the Buick-loving dynamo who organizes the beloved Classic Car Event on Harlem each July.

In Orland Park on Sunday, Mayor Dan McLaughlin lit the tree and the lights sparkle all down Ravinia Avenue.

The Christmas season for me really began the Sunday morning before Thanksgiving, covering the set up of the Palos Lions Club’s tree lot on Harlem just north of 127th.

It was filled with community characters — people who are characters in the fun sense of the word, who show a great deal of character on behalf of their community. Palos Lions President Tom Crowhurst wears two hats, as also a leader of the Citizens on Patrol Service in Palos Park. They do all sorts of good things for the Palos Park PD. He just cannot do important community service without a sense of levity that is like a tonic for all involved. The Orland Park Lions are a great bunch, too. Their tree lot is on 142nd and La Grange Road.

This Friday, we come to the Kris Kringle Market, part of the second Holidays on Harlem, both Friday and Saturday.

Diane’s Place owner Diane Goerg, Farmers Market Manager Anne Girzadas and Alderman Jeffrey Key have taken lead roles to organize or promote them. They will light the lights on Harlem. Details are in our story on Page One by reporter Dermot Connolly.

Plenty of Community Characters are also responsible for this Friday’s Holiday Market and tree lighting in Palos Park.

It’s a don’t-miss event for many villagers.

This Saturday, the Friends of the Palos Heights Library bring us the annual Christmastime in Palos. They have Bill Poore, past president and longtime member, as their own Community Character, as are so many library Friends. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and was featured in last week’s Regional.

A week later, the Palos Heights Woman’s Club’s annual Christmas Walk graces Palos Country Club. Tickets are at Mona Lisa Boutique.

The holidays are here full force. It’s a wonderful life in Palos-Orland. Get out there and enjoy it.

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Looking for that Christmas spirit What is the Christmas spirit? Is it religious and something we pray for, or does it symbolize an obscure hope that just maybe society might find in its heart the ability to have compassion?

When I was younger, we found inspiration for the Christmas Spirit from TV, our generation’s version of “Youtube.” In the 1950s and 1960s, we were consumed with TV the way my son is consumed with his cellphone today.

The difference was we seemed to have better things to watch in black and white than people have to watch today in ultra-high definition color. We had “Miracle on 31st Street,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and a dozen other inspirational films. They have Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto.

Today’s generation is fed violence, hate, anger and conflict.

Somehow the Christmas spirit got lost in an ugly stream of anger that floods our “social media” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People are still threatening each other and calling each other names over last month’s presidential election. Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton. Get over it.

There was a time when “America” was more important, when democracy and freedom actually meant something. Torture, profiling, racial discrimination and many foreign wars have changed all that, not to mention Enron, Bernie Madoff, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and AIG. Everyone with a keyboard and a Facebook account is a “journalist” today. Opinions have gone from “insight” to “incite,” fueling anger, hatred and bullying rather than understanding.

RAY HANANIA Hey, I watch a lot of TV programs about doctors. Maybe I can do heart surgery? What do you need, a few scalpels, some anesthesia, a hot looking nurse, and a patient with a bad heart, which in today’s world is pretty much everyone who eats fast food. You just cut someone open, clamp a few arteries, wash a few hands, give the patient anesthesia or euthanasia — whichever!

Some people find that spending money makes them happy, even when they don’t have it. It’s not about Christmas spirit any more. It’s about “Black Friday,” which isn’t Black or on a Friday. It’s a lifestyle that is weeks and months long where we are pushed to spend, borrow and spend even more.

Christmas is about profits, not prophets.

Money doesn’t seem to have much meaning or value any more.

The other day I drove past 135th and Harlem and I saw four people, three men and a woman, panhandling at the corner.

It used to be the only people begging for money were men.

My son asked, “Do you think they’re rich and scamming people for money?”

According to the internet, a lot of poor people begging for money have thousands stashed in mattresses, CDs and bank

accounts. Not that savings accounts are a smart thing these days, considering the banks charge a fortune to loan money but pay nothing to “save” it.

I told him I don’t believe everything on the Internet and I doubted people with lots of money would stand on a street corner in the cold holding up a cardboard sign just to make a few bucks.

Has society become so cynical?

There’s more to do than spending money, folks. Get in the car with the family and enjoy the homes drenched in beautifully decorated holiday lights and props.

It’s not a religious homage or anything.

It’s just fun. Remember “fun?”

Most holiday decorations have nothing to do with Jesus or religion. Santa Claus and a Christmas tree are not really religious symbols. The Christmas spirit is about happiness and enjoyment, and that comes from being generous.

Of course, being cynical, I wouldn’t be surprised if I one day drive past one of the more popular annual Christmas decorated homes and find it awash in “sponsorships.”

Can you imagine a big “Sprint,” or “Verizon” or “Geico” sign in Christmas lights plastered across the roof of one of those homes? “This Christmas home decoration is sponsored by Macys.”

Come to think of it. That would just be a Christmas parade in reverse.

Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and political columnist. Send him feedback at rghanania@gmail.com.

INSIDE THE FIRST AMENDMENT

After Trump wins, back to the ‘basics’

By Gene Policinski There’s no one “key” to why so many believe that journalists missed the rise and election of Donald Trump as president — and that’s a good thing to keep in mind for the future.

There’s no easy answer to why so many Americans are so critical of the press, so distrustful of news reports and so convinced — particularly post-election — that journalists are out of step and out of touch.

And yet, a fair amount of speculation in print and on television — including great gobs of gassy talk show speculation — seems focused around ideas that it was Facebook foolishness, retweets of “fake news” or even “the death of facts” that were responsible for Trump’s rise from pre-primary punch line to being president-elect.

Some post-election retrospectives did provide valuable critiques of at least the top-level, network and national newspaper performance during the 2016 campaign. Common threads: Too many paid too much attention to too many meaningless polls, a fixation on personality over substance and too little reporting on the issues that mattered.

But still, the search for “the” reason goes on. The Washington Post even gave up serious real estate on its pages to a purveyor of blatantly false stories, including one claiming

that the Pope had endorsed Trump. When asked the vacuous question “Did you personally help elect Donald Trump,” even this admitted faker had to say, “I don’t know. I don’t know if I did or not. I don’t know.” Neither would anyone reading the item.

And then there is the flap over “Hamilton,” in which Trump tweeted a criticism of a cast member’s on-stage, post-performance lecture on diversity aimed at departing Vice President-elect Michael Pence. Recalls another play, of another time: “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Nearly a week later, far too much print, TV and Web space continues to chatter on about it, diverting public attention and scarce resources and time from the actual news of the day around the incoming administration: Cabinet selections, domestic and foreign policy positioning and more around the transition from Obama to Trump.

So, if not chasing down spurious claims of how the election was won, or rehashing an unscripted “Hamilton” moment, what’s a journalist — and those who own the means of journalism — to do? A few thoughts: Step away from the screen and deal with an obsessive interest in tweets, bleats and social media nonsense. Give readers and viewers and listeners and users some real news to resend to friends,

about things that matter: jobs, education, health and faith, as starters.

For those who constitute a free press, recognize that your strength and your appeal rest in representing those who support your work through subscriptions, fees or contributions.

Recognize that such fluff and trivia are not the stuff of lasting relationships with consumers, to be lost in the glare of the next shiny bright thing.

Lest this seem too much like a call to return to post, one final bit of advice: Innovate.

Really innovate. In its newest edition, the industry publication Editor & Publisher offers a glimpse into the fast-changing newsroom of The Washington Post, now rife with online tools and methods of reaching news consumers that include a “lightning-fast” mobile website, and programs like “Bandito, a home-grown tool that lets editors publish articles with as many as five different headlines and photos to figure out which is the most engaging to readers.”

The Post, propelled by the investment of owner Jeff Bezos (who also owns Amazon) is not ignoring the bottom line while pursuing the future. As Editor & Publisher reports, “Then there’s Arc, the Post’s home-made content management system which they have begun licensing out to other news organizations,” in what could be a $100 million-a-year business.

Surely such new tools as video and gaming technology — and innovative ways of revising the basic structure of news outlets, from a return to local owners who can accept profit margins that chill Wall Street investors to publicly supported, collaborative newsgathering — can bring credible information to a public that needs it.

There also is the new and pervasive presence of information sources like Google News — which can bring amazing amounts of core information in partnership with existing and yet-to-come news providers.

Yes, there’s no one “key” to a return to a thriving news industry — and to quickly dealing with the loss of thousands of talented, experienced journalists by disruption of their industry’s financial model.

But to focus on or be distracted by the trivial is to self-define in the same terms.

It’s also to break faith with the nation’s founders, who accepted and protected an opinionated, partisan — often, even opposition — press because the role and those views were rooted in discussion of the serious matters of self-governance.

Gene Policinski is chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute and senior vice president of the Institute’s First Amendment Center. He can be reached at gpolicinski@newseum.org. Follow him on Twitter: @genefac

The Regional News

Thursday, December 1, 2016

5

POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Charged with DUI

Photos courtesy Palos Park PD

Police, COPS and cadets adorn Palos Park PD tree Palos Park Citizens on Patrol Service (COPS), police offices and cadets spent last Friday evening setting up and decorating the Police Department’s holiday tree outside the Recreation Center.

It is among trees brimming with lights and ornaments in time for the village’s annual Holiday Market and tree-lighting celebration to be held this Friday.

The work decorating the tree was done after

the COPS’s “Coffee with the Chief” program that evening.

“It’s been a long month for the Palos Park Police Department,” Palos Park Police Chief Joe Miller said. “Thanks to the COPS program members for the “Coffee with the Chief” tonight and helping set up our Palos Park PD tree on the Village Green.

Sometimes friends and coffee are just what we need.”

Orland Park police charged Mokena resident Richard F. McCall, 48, with DUI, speeding, improper lane usage, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia after they curbed his SUV near 183rd Street and Wolf Road at 3:06 a.m. Nov. 13. His vehicle was spotted traveling at 58 mph, 13 mph over the posted limit, according to the police report. A search of the SUV yielded a smoking pipe and 34 grams of cannabis, police added. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and McCall is scheduled to appear in court in Bridgeview on Dec. 28.

Oak Forest resident Sandy Sarmiento, 42, was charged with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, possession of ammunition without an FOID card and no proof of insurance after police investigated a two-SUV crash in the 9100 block of West 143rd Street at 11 a.m. Nov. 6. Police said that Sarmiento’s vehicle rear-ended another and that they found a box containing 50 rounds of ammunition in the SUV’s console. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Sarmiento is due in court on Tuesday in Bridgeview.

Police charged Orland Park resident Mario L. Medrano, 28, with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane usage and no proof of insurance after they investigated a one-vehicle crash near 179th Street and Southwest Highway

at 12:47 a.m. Nov. 7. Medrano reportedly told police that his car struck a guardrail as he swerved to avoid hitting a deer crossing the road, police said. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Medrano is expected to appear in court in Bridgeview on Dec. 12.

Cashier charged in theft scheme Police charged Tier Vanessa Spencer, 19, of Harvey, with felony retail theft after she allegedly used her position as a cashier at an Orland Square Mall department store to steal $769 worth of clothing. She was taken into custody on Nov. 8 based on surveillance video reviewed by store security, police said. According to police, Spencer and another employee were involved in a scheme to ring up and then cancel purchases at a cash register, with Spencer taking the merchandise out the door.

She was due at a bond hearing on Nov. 9.

Stole headphones four times, police say Crest Hill resident Christopher J. Widlacki, 34, and Tinley Park resident Alycia J. Widlacki, 31, were charged with felony retail theft after they allegedly stole a $349 set of headphones from an electronics store in Orland Square Mall at 6:36 p.m. Nov. 11. Under questioning, the pair reportedly admitted they also had stolen four

pairs of headphones—with a total value of about $1,200—from the same store on three prior occasions dating back to Oct. 18, police said.

They were both due at a bond hearing on Nov. 12.

Charged with stealing Cubs shirts Police charged Lemont resident Zachary L. Stronach, 23, with felony retail theft after he allegedly removed three Chicago Cubs shirts—valued at a total of $315—from a department store in Orland Square Mall at 3:07 p.m. Nov. 13. Jakub Witkowski, 19, of Lemont, was charged with possession of stolen property in connection with the incident.

Witkowski also was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor after police saw him drinking a can of beer, according to the police report. Stronach was due at a bond hearing on Nov. 14. Witkowski was given a court date of Dec. 12 in Bridgeview.

Quick stop at church ends in burglary A 21-year-old Tinley Park woman reported that her laptop computer was stolen from her unlocked car while it sat parked at Faith United Methodist Church, 15101 S. 80th Ave., at about 10 a.m. Nov. 8. The victim told police she was in the church for only about 10 minutes.

POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS HEIGHTS Charged with DUI Oladiran U. Anibaba, 24, of Tinley Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 2:46 a.m. Saturday, in the 13100 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance or headlights. He is due in court on Jan. 10.

Charged with driving while license suspended Dominic A. Flisk, 23, of Joliet, was charged with driving on a suspended license following a traffic stop at 1:57 a.m. Nov. 23, in the 12800 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for

improper lane usage. He is due in court on Jan. 10.

Tyrell Thompson, 29, of Chicago, was charged with driving on a suspended license following a traffic stop at 3:43 a.m. Friday, in the 6500 block of West 127th Street. He is due in court on Dec. 30.

Charged with driving with a revoked license Dellvin T. Hampton, 31, of Chicago, was charged with driving on a revoked license following a traffic stop at 11:24 p.m. Monday, in the 6400 block of West 127th Street. Police said he was also cited for suspended registration, and driving without insurance. He is due in court Dec. 30.

Tips to manage your child’s social networking activities County Sheriff Dart helps make Thanksgiving special for residents The Office of Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart and the Housing Authority of Cook County joined together last week to provide free turkeys to Housing Authority residents, just in time for Thanksgiving.

The agencies provided 500 families on Monday afternoon.

The families are residents of Housing Authority locations in Chicago Heights, Ford Heights, Harvey, Park Forest and Robbins.

The Sheriff’s Office received the turkeys from a donor who wished to remain anonymous.

Turkeys were distributed at the Sheriff’s Police substation in Ford Heights and the Richard Flowers Community Room in Robbins.

Housing Authority of Cook County Executive Director Richard Monocchio expressed thanks to the Sheriff’s Office and the

Supplied photo

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart helped give free turkeys before Thanksgiving to county Housing Authority resident.

anonymous donor for their generosity to the residents. Families look forward to this occasion every year and were extremely

grateful for the kind gesture.

— Office of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart

Palos Park police pledge to respond to persons affected by mental illness The Palos Park Police Department has pledged to take action in support of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s One Mind Campaign, with the intent to unite local communities, public safety organizations, and mental health organizations in such a way that the three become “of one mind.”

The One Mind Campaign seeks to ensure successful interactions between police officers and persons with mental illness. The department has committed to implementing four promising practices: • Establishing a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community mental health organization(s),

• Developing and implementing a model policy addressing police response to persons affected by mental illness, • Training and certifying 100 percent of the agency’s sworn officers (and selected nonsworn staff, such as dispatchers) in Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety, and • Providing Crisis Intervention Team training to a minimum of 20 percent of the agency’s sworn officers (and selected non-sworn staff, such as dispatchers.)

Police Commissioner Dan Polk said: “We are support this initiative because we recognize the need to find more effective ways to address the way all of us deal with per-

sons suffering from mental illness.

We realize solutions come from partnerships with mental health organizations and community service organizations, to train officers in recognizing someone suffering a mental crises and teaching effective de-escalation techniques to provide for a successful resolution of a crises encounter.”

Police Chief Joe Miller noted that pledging to support the One Mind Campaign is a step towards creating a safer community for all.

For more information about the One Mind Campaign, visit http://www.theiacp.org/onemindcampaign.

— Palos Park PD

While there are benefits to social networking for children, there are many downsides too.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a study that indicates there’s an increased risk of cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and sexting.

While you may not want to prohibit your child from social sharing, it’s a good idea to make some rules and establish guidelines.

Age Appropriate – Facebook has age restrictions. You have to be 13 to have a Facebook account.

This is a good guideline for many social media interactions. Require your child to wait until their 13th birthday, or until you’re comfortable with them being online. That includes sites like Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Connect With You – One of the rules of social media should

always be that your child must connect with you on the site. Of course, that means that you have to have an account on the website, and you must also monitor their activities.

Privacy Settings – Not all social sites have privacy settings.

However, Facebook does. Make sure your child’s settings are set so that the public cannot see what your child is posting; only friends.

This will help prevent your child from identity theft and inappropriate communications.

Monitor their Usage – One of the signs that a child is being cyberbullied is an exorbitant amount of time online, particularly on the social sites that are being used to attack them. Monitor your child’s usage with tools like NetNanny.

Learn what sites they visit, how long they stay there, and their general online activity.

Teach About Internet Consequences and Dangers – It’s important that your child realize the consequences of sharing online.

Nothing can be removed or taken back. Teach them to think long and hard before they post anything. Teach them to never give out personal information, and how to handle rude or harassing comments from others. Show them how to block people so they don’t have to deal with inappropriate comments.

Keep The Computer Centralized – Regardless of your child’s age, it’s always a good idea to keep the computer in a location that is central to the home. This makes it easier to keep an eye on the websites they’re visiting and to monitor their time spent on social sites.

— Palos Park PD

Fake app attack new threat by scammers for cyber shoppers Always looking for and coming up with new ways to rip-off the unsuspecting, for scammers and cyber-thieves, it really is Christmas! This year for shoppers - especially for those doing a lot of online buying and downloading apps to their mobile devises - new dangers are lurking. Hundreds of fake retail and product apps have popped up in Apple’s “App Store” and Google’s “Play Store” in recent weeks.

Apps have become a popular way to shop, particularly for people looking for deals. But there are serious risks, especially to using a fake app. Entering credit card information opens a consumer to potential financial fraud. Some fake apps contain malware that can steal personal information or even lock the phone until the user pays a ransom.

Starbucks started the first “retail app”, and many stores have followed but, security experts say

the biggest source of the fake apps is China.

“Cyber-thieves have also found ways to make their counterfeit apps convenient; they encourage users to log in using their Facebook credentials,” says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.

“That could dangerously expose their sensitive personal information to identity theft.”

“Because there are so many apps available shoppers can easily be confused but there are many red flags to look for,” notes Bernas.

The BBB advises app users to take a closer look at the fine print before putting it on their phones and to take these precautions: Check when it was developed, what version it’s on, who was the publisher and look for customer reviews. If you pull up a major retailer’s app and it has no reviews, then you’re probably on

the wrong one.

Check the link connected to the app to see if you’re being directed to the retailer’s legitimate website.

Never click on a link in any email to download a new app.

Only go to the website of the retailer to get a link to the legitimate app.

Check safe online shopping for additional tips on safer shopping.

Bernas also recommends, “Use a credit card, because card companies typically have restitution plans that can save you if you fall victim. Using your debit card on the other hand can have you losing everything you have in the bank.”

Shoppers who encounter a fake app should immediately notify Apple or Google. The information can also be reported to BBB Scam Tracker in an effort to help track down where the scam is coming from.

For more consumer tips, visit www.bbb.org/Chicago.

6 Thursday, December 1, 2016

SCHOOLS

The Regional News

St. Alexander School to host annual chess tournament Students from all area schools can enter St. Alexander School in Palos Heights will host its second annual Chess Tournament for students from any school this Friday, Dec. 2.

Last year, more than 60 students from 15 different schools participated.

Check-in will begin at 5:15 p.m., with tournament play from 6 to 9 p.m.

All chess players in grades kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to participate. There will be four rounds with no eliminations.

Entry fee is $20 and includes

chess play, food and drink. Students can pay at the door or pre-register online.

Sign up at www.onlineregistration.cc/CW/STALEX16. Use “new” if player does not have a USCF ID. Sections include K-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8. Team and individual awards will be given.

High school, college and adult chess play may be held if enough players register.

For those hungry, adult meals will be offered for $10 and sibling meals for $5. In keeping with the holiday spirit, participants are en-

couraged to bring a canned good donation to share with those less fortunate.

St. Alexander began its Chess Club in 2014 and currently has 26 students enrolled. Students meet each week for chess instruction and to practice match play against teammates. Chess Club is just one of many extra curricular activities that St. Alexander School offers along with Sports, Band, Yearbook, Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts.

St. Alexander School is located at 7025 W. 126th St., Palos Heights.

— St. Alexander School

The Jewel-Osco in Palos Heights donated 40 turkey dinners to the annual Thanksgiving food drive sponsored by Shepard High School. Students and staff from Shepard delivered some food to families without transportation, while others came to school to pick up donated items later in the week.

Jewel, Shepard partner for the needy at Thanksgiving Now in its fourth decade, the Jerry Lemon Needy Family Food Drive at Shepard High School counts on staff members, students, and the community.

And this year shoppers at the Jewel-Osco in Palos Heights truly came through.

After Shepard students and staff loaded a mini-bus with food, they stopped at Jewel. Employees brought out carts of turkey dinners – 40 of them -- funded with donations from shoppers. Jewel donated another 40 dinners to Operation Blessing.

The massive contribution extends the reach of the food drive.

Shepard students and teachers delivered food on Monday to families unable to pick up at school; later in the week, other families came to Shepard to pick up boxes of donated food.

The Jerry Lemon Needy Family Food Drive, named for a former Shepard teacher, has operated just prior to Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter since the early 1980s.

In the years that followed, the food drive evolved. After Lem-

Teachers in District 218 have planned lessons that transform classrooms into high engagement environments, a change that researchers have found to significantly affect student achievement. Here, students collaborate on a writing assignment in Honors English I taught by Laura Friesema.

There’s iPads and changing classrooms in District 218 Shepard High School students board a mini-bus with donated turkey dinners provided by the Jewel-Osco at 127th Street and Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights. Shepard students and staff have organized a Thanksgiving food drive for three decades.

on retired, Shepard teacher Glenn Simms managed the food drive for 20 years before retiring. Today,

Brad Fisher, Jim Benes, Esther Roth, Kris LaRocco and Erin McLean handle the organization.

Moraine Valley faculty, staff get busy on behalf of community Moraine Valley’s Community Learning Day offers faculty and staff opportunities to model civic engagement and build relationships with community organizations that can lead to additional service learning opportunities for students.

Faculty and staff spent the college’s third annual Community Learning Day helping at more than a dozen locations, including the Animal Welfare League, Bridge Teen Center, Catholic Charities, Pleasure Lake, Cook County Forest Preserves, My Joyful Heart, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, St. Coletta’s of Illinois, Sertoma Centre, Holy Family Villa, Elsie’s Food Pantry, and Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Service ranged from helping with cleaning and renovation, to clearing away invasive species in woodlands, putting together hygiene and food packages, and assisting residents in creating re-

corded digital memory keepsakes.

Some staff stayed on campus to help those whose first language is not English practice and learn English-speaking skills, create cards to send to cancer patients, teach area residents to play musical instruments, and more.

“Community Learning Day allows faculty and staff to give back to the communities that support the college and the people we serve,” said Dr. Kristine Christensen, director of Faculty Development and a member of the Community Learning Day steering committee. “The day brings together our staff and the community into a day of service that enhances our understanding of one another and helps us build relationships that can help our students with either needed services or additional learning opportunities.”

“To lend a helping hand, even if it’s just a day here or there, can

make a difference in everyone’s life. It increases your awareness of the level of need that’s out there,” said Mary Beth Walsh, professor of Travel Business Management, Meeting Planning and Special Events. “I find that when I volunteer, I always get more than I give.”

Dr. Christensen said the spirit of service doesn’t stop once Community Learning Day is over.“Many faculty and staff have started volunteering at various organizations as a result of learning more about the various volunteer opportunities,” she said.

The event is partially sponsored by the Moraine Valley Community College Foundation. “The Foundation is so proud to provide the funding for Community Learning Day,” said Kristy McGreal, the Foundation’s executive director.

“It’s so empowering to be a part of a day that impacts the lives of so many.”

Describing life before the Internet to students can leave one grasping for clarity; it’s a struggle to find words that fully paint an accurate picture.

And someday soon, teachers in District 218 may find a similar challenge in detailing how different their classrooms operated before the integration of the iPad. Already, change washes through Shepard, Richards, and Eisenhower high schools.

In August, freshmen received iPads to keep as long as they’re enrolled in the district. Next fall all students will receive iPads.

But one might think teachers like Laura Friesema at Shepard have been working with them for years.

During a lesson in which students analyzed “Button, Button” she effortlessly directed debate and discussion while students used Padlet and Google Classroom. The pace and depth of interaction would have impressed anyone.

But Curriculum Director for English Anthony Corsi is not just anyone. And after watching videos of Friesema leading the lesson, he noted the contrast to the pre-iPad version.

“I’ve seen the ‘analog’ version of some these activities. It was great to see how technology enhanced the lessons and also seemed to increase student buy-in.

Students snap to work instantly when it’s time to work with their partner,” he said.

Teachers have employed the tablets as a way to boost engagement. Actively participating in lessons, as opposed to merely taking notes from lectures or discussion, helps students comprehend and retain material, apply what they’ve learned, and think critically according to researchers.

Google Classroom comprises an important element in the transformation of classrooms.

Friesema and other District 218 teachers quickly have moved to Google Classroom, a free web-

based platform that integrates Google Documents, Gmail, and other applications. Once mastered, teachers have found the platform saves time and paper, and makes it easier to distribute assignments, communicate, and stay organized.

“My students have submitted all of their writing assignments through Google Classroom, and they will continue to do so,” she said.

This essentially serves Friesema’s students as a learning log.

“Students can see how their work has developed. Research shows that this will allow for students to see the trajectory of their growth and see how to further improve work and maintain a persistent focus on improvement.

They’ll see that their ability is reflective of their hard work and commitment to learning — not intelligence that they either have or don’t have,” she said.

— High School District 218

Moraine Valley seeking workshop proposals for civic engagement confab Community members interested in presenting about a topic on civic engagement are encouraged to submit a workshop proposal to Moraine Valley Community College for its ActOut 2.0 Conference for Civic Engagement.

The conference is Friday, April 21, but proposals are due to the college, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, by Thursday, Dec. 15.

The college’s Democracy Commitment and ActOut Now Education through Action Project are collaborating to unite the community with faculty, staff and students

to listen, learn and share ideas about building an active and engaged community where all voices are heard on social issues. The theme of the conference is “Our Common Ground: A Space for Civil Discourse.”

The conference will include presentations, workshops, panels, and interactive sessions focused on issue/awareness building and civic practice/action. The topic areas for proposals are: civics and education, civil discourse and problem-solving, personal responsibility, and community change.

Proposals can be submitted using an online form on the college’s website at morainevalley. edu/actout. If you have questions about the conference or a proposal, contact Tamarra Coleman-Hill at coleman-hillt@morainevalley.edu or call (708) 608-4214.

Community members also are invited to attend the conference in April. Information about registration and special guest speakers will be available on the website in February.

Midnight Madness at Chicago Christian

Supplied photo

Chicago Christian High School varsity basketball coach Kevin Pittman Sr. enters the gym on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for Midnight Madness held Nov. 18 at the school in Palos Heights. The boys basketball program hosted the event. It offered several fun events for families, including a free T-shirt and pizza giveaway, free throw and long shot contests for children, slam dunk contest featuring the varsity basketball players and a special appearance by the “Sky Squad.” The varsity, sophomore and freshmen teams were introduced by the coaches.

The Regional News

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Friends of the Palos Heights Library will hold Christmastime in Palos this Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave. The free holiday event features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, children’s crafts and face painting, music by Stagg High School’s Madrigal Singers, a sing-a-long with Palos Heights city officials, a holiday wreath drawing and silent book auction and snacks and refreshments provided by local businesses.

Special programs for children and adults include Spoon Moon at 10 a.m. and the Traverso Singers at 11:30 a.m.

Office is now accepting appeals on behalf of the Cook County Board of Review for the assessed value of your home.

This appeal process will run until Tuesday, Dec. 6, for all homeowners in Worth Township. The staff will assist all Worth Township homeowners with filing the 2016 Real Estate Assessed Valuation Complaint and research comparable properties through Dec. 6.

The office is located at 11601 S Pulaski Road in Alsip.

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The entrance to the Assessor’s Office is on the west (Pulaski Road) side of the building and handicapped parking is available. For more, call the township Assessor’s office at 371-2900, ext. 46 or 47.

Worth Township assessment appeals

Fireside Chat with Sheriff Tom Dart

Christmastime in Palos

The Worth Township Assessor’s

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart

will be the guest speaker at the Palos-Orland League of Women Voters fireside chat on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m., at Lake Katherine’s Eugene G. Simpson Clubhouse, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, in Palos Heights.

The meeting is open to the public and appetizers will be served.

Please RSVP to Charlene at cmotero@comcast.net.

Sheriff Dart oversees about 8,000 inmates in the Cook County Department of Corrections, 500 police officers and a staff of 100.

He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2009 for his innovative solutions to improve the life of inmates in Cook County Jail, including those with mental health issues.

For more information on the Fireside Chat, email Barbara at mspasq@aol.com.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

7

McCord Holiday Shoppe filled with artists’ creations Holiday shoppers can support local artists at the historic McCord House in Palos Park.

For the 13th year, the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center will be transformed into a warm and welcoming place for holiday shopping.

Among the silk scarves, jewelry, fused glass dishes, picture frames, and many more fine crafts, people are sure to find something for everyone on your list. The shoppe will be open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., through Thursday, Dec. 22.

Construction will not interfere with the Holiday Shoppe at the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center.

The shoppe supports local artists as people find gifts for family and friends.

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center is located at 9602 W. Creek Road (129th and La Grange Road). For more information, call 708-671-0648 or visit www.mccordgallery.org.

Supplied photo — McCord Gallery The McCord Holiday Shoppe is all & Cultural Center dressed up for Christmas.

Holiday volunteers sought

by Neat Repeats resale

By Doreen Holford The Crisis Center for South Suburbia

Volunteers are needed at Neat Repeats Resale to process donations and assist customers during this busy holiday season.

Volunteer just five hours a week in a fun retail environment and make a difference in your community this holiday season.

Our passionate volunteers have helped hundreds of women build a better life for themselves and

their children through their hard work and dedication.

Your willingness to share your time and your talents is truly an act of kindness. You will join other volunteers whom have given tens of thousands of hours to make a difference in our clients lives.

We welcome you with open arms and hope you will find your journey with us important, fun and most of all a rewarding experience. Stop by and enjoy a tour of our stores and see how you can become a member of

this amazing group of volunteers.

We are now accepting volunteer applications at both stores.

Orland Park at 9028 W. 159th St. 708/364-7605, or Worth at 7026 W. 111th St. 708/361-6860.

All sales at Neat Repeats Resale benefit the clients served by the Crisis Center for South Suburbia.

The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is a non-profit community organization that provides emergency shelter and other services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence.

File photos

Photos with Santa Claus are a popular feature of Winter Wonderland. It returns Saturday, Dec. 10, to the Palos Heights Recreation Center, 6601 W. 127th St.

Waddles Winter Wonderland offers family fun at Heights Rec. Center

Supplied photo

Live indoor Nativity luncheon

The Rev. Chris Hopkins and several other members of The Center’s staff will stage a reenactment of Bethlehem in the Great Hall of the Lodge with a real donkey and sheep on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy, Palos Park. Christmas Carols will be sung and beautiful examples of nativity sets will also be on display. Attendees are asked to mention at registration if they would like to bring their own nativity set to display. Luncheons cost $22 and advance registration is necessary. Call 361-3650.

LIBRARY NOTES ​ rland Park O Library programs • A Century of Citizen Action in Health Care Reform – Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

• Cozy Corner Bedtime Storytime – Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Children ages 4 and older.

• Bright Starts Family Storytime– Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Children of all ages.

• Melikin Puppets – Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. Families and children of all ages.

• Discovery Depot! – Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m. Children grades K-8.

• Night of Dance, Day of Infamy – Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Storyteller Terry Lynch portrays Navy Chief Radioman Edward Campbell.

• Microsoft Excel 2010 Part 1 – Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m. Adults.

• Holly Jolly Storytime – Dec. 6 and 7 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children of all ages visit with Santa.

• Introduction to Selling on eBay – Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Adults.

• The Coloring Club – Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Adults.

The Orland Park Public Library is at 14921 S. Ravinia Ave. For more, call 428-5205 or visit orlandparklibrary.org.

Palos Heights library upcoming events

• The following clubs meet weekly at the Palos Heights Public Library: Needle Club – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Scrabble Club – Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m.

Mah Jongg – Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m.

Contact the library to register for these programs at 448-1473 or visit the Library’s website at www.palosheightslibrary.org. The Palos Heights Public Library is at 12501 S. 71st Ave.

Heights library youth programs

Dec. 5, 10 a.m., for ages six weeks to 2 years old. Bring your littlest elf to the library to transform foot prints into mistletoes. Makes excellent family gifts.

• Pajamarama - All ages are invited to this drop in evening of relaxing stories and crafts to send you off to dream land on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m.

No registration is needed.

All programs are free and open to everyone at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Avenue in Palos Heights. For more information or to register for a program, visit www.palosheightslibrary.org, call 708-448-1473, or stop by the Youth Services desk.

• Christmastime in Palos, this Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., for all ages. Christmas is a very special time for many of youth and teen library patrons. Kids can stop by the Activity Room to make ornaments to Puzzle on Page 11 decorate the tree and enjoy snacks.

Teens can volunteer to help with face painting, or tree trimming.

Family show at 10 a.m.

• Spoon Man this Saturday, Dec. 3, Christmastime in Palos, all ages.

Performer Jim Cruise will entertain everyone with his unique form of music using spoons. Everyone will enjoy the clackety clack sound and kids will see firsthand that anything is possible, if you work at it.

• Baby Rembrandts - Monday,

Answers

Residents can join the Palos Heights Parks and Recreation Department and Waddles the Penguin to enjoy a free day of holiday fun at Winter Wonderland.

The festive event will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Palos Heights Recreation Center, 6601 W. 127th St. Families will not want to miss out on this exciting event. There will be holiday games, cookie decorating, holiday craft decorating, and even a candy cane hunt. There will be holiday entertainment and everyone will get the chance to meet Santa himself and take a family picture with him. Come out and help spread the holiday cheer at Waddles Winter Wonderland.

Schedule of events: 10 a.m. Cookie and Craft decorating Holiday games and refreshment 10-11:30 a.m. Pictures with Santa begins, please bring your camera.

10:30 a.m. Magic Show 10:45 a.m. Hay rides begin

Hay rides around the Rec. Center grounds are part of the fun at Winter Wonderland.

11:45 a.m. Candy cane hunt The cookie decorating, craft making, and games will continue throughout the entire event so

families who cannot arrive right at 10 a.m. will still have the opportunity to participate in all of the activities.

es, trips, theater, monthly games, discussion, interaction meetings and newcomers get acquainted meetings. For more, call Danell Chmura at 630-728-9368.

brary, 7851 Timber Drive. Doors open at 6:30.

Familysearch.org is a free genealogical resource that has many features you may not know about such as wiki, digitized books and more. O’Leary has been a reference librarian for more than 30 years. The group’s newsletter editor for 10 years, she has given numerous presentations on beginning genealogy, searching the Internet and researching Canadian Irish records, to name a few.

CLUB ACTIVITIES Southwest Suburban WOW The Southwest Suburban widow/widowers social club will meet this Friday, Dec. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Zion Church, 17100 S. 69th Ave. in Tinley Park.

The group meets monthly.

Beverages and snacks are served.

Entertainment is offered most months. The club offers support to widowed persons of all faiths and ages Some activities include restaurant outings, danc-

Sudoku

Puzzle on Page 11

Tinley Moraine Genealogists Tinley Moraine Genealogists invite all to hear Kathy O’Leary present Getting the Most Out of Family Search on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., at Tinley Public Li-

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HEALTH & FITNESS

8 Thursday, December 1, 2016

SENIOR NOTES Worth Township senior holiday luncheon The Worth Township senior luncheon will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 11:30 to 2 p.m., at Worth Township, 11601 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip.

Cost is $15, registration required. Lunch from Country House Restaurant includes chicken limone, Italian sausage with peppers onions, double-baked mashed potatoes, Door County salad, rolls and butter, water/soda, dessert). Entertainment by the

Madrigal Singers from Evergreen Park High School. An optional $10 grab bag exchange will also be held (unisex gifts preferred).

Register and pay by Dec. 6 (no refunds). Call 708-371-2900, ext.

28.

NovaCare Rehabilitation opens therapy center at Moraine Valley The grand opening of NovaCare Rehabilitation, the newest outpatient physical therapy center, took place recently at the FitRec Center at Building H at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

The center offers patients access to one-on-one, personalized care under Sarah Zayyad, P.T., DPT, CMPT, and innovative rehabilitation equipment to help efficiently strengthen the body, reduce pain and prevent future injury.

NovaCare in Palos Hills offers a wide range of physical therapy services, including orthopaedic rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, sports

medicine, spinal manipulation, dry needling, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and low back rehabilitation. A full line of work injury prevention programs are also provided, including work conditioning, work hardening, ergonomic assessments and return-to-work programs.

The center treats a variety of symptoms, conditions and diagnosis throughout the life span and restores function to individuals after injury, trauma or surgery.

NovaCare is open five days a week and offers flexible hours to fit patients’ schedules, including early morning and evening hours.

“As an alumnus of Moraine and longtime resident of the Palos area, I am looking forward to treating patients within this community,” said Zayyad. “This area is full of individuals who are vigilant about their health and well-being, and I am confident we here at NovaCare Rehabilitation in Palos Hills will work hard every day to create a positive clinical and customer service experience for our patients.”

The FitRec Center offers physical therapy, manual therapy, aquatic therapy, spinal manipulation and low back rehabilitation.

Registered nurse available by appointment at Orland Township An Orland Township RN is now available by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week to provide the following services: • Free Blood Pressure Screenings • Adult and Children Vaccinations (Varying prices and eligibility guidelines) • Total Lipid Profile Testing ($35 for residents, $45 for non-residents without glucose, $40 for residents, $50 for non-residents with glucose)

• Accu-Chek Glucose Screenings for diabetes prevention ($5 for residents, $10 for non-residents) • Free Medical Consultations

Total lipid profile testing information This test is a complete cholesterol analysis that measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol) levels and an overall ratio; a 9- to 12-hour fast is required and patients should drink water during their fasting period

for optimum results.

Health screening package A discounted standard screening package to maintain good health is also available for $50 (residents), $60 (non-residents). The package includes blood pressure, glucose, total lipid profile testing, body composition (body fat, BMI (body mass index), Height/Weight and Waist Circumference) and a face-to-face consultation.

To make an appointment, call (708) 403-4222.

PICK OF THE LITTER

Dogs and cats, and fish oil

Fatty acids may be beneficial, but do the math

Only 9 percent of Illinois-based nursing homes made the list

U.S. News & World Report has named Park Villa, a Villa Healthcare nursing facility, one of the Best Nursing Homes in Illinois. The report, which was first launched in 2009, evaluates data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to rank nursing homes on factors including health inspections, quality of medical care and nurse staffing. This year, there was an increased focus on long-term performance consistency.

“I am extremely proud of the Park Villa staff and its continued commitment to excellence,” said Jon Ollmann, VP of Operations at Park Villa. “This prestigious ranking is reflective of our driving force, which is making people better – both our internal staff and most importantly, our residents and guests.”

Park Villa is a JCAHO-accredited center located at 12550 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, and has been a standout player in the long-term care and senior living space, having also received a 5-Star Rating from CMS earlier this year.

Of the 740 centers evaluated in Illinois, including the city of Chicago and its suburbs, only 63 nursing homes made the list. This means that only 9 percent of nursing homes statewide made the Best

Dear Dr. Fleming, My brother takes fish oil and he believes it helps lower his blood cholesterol level. Do you think fish oil would help my dog in any way?

Chuck, Orland Park

Orland Township Immunization Clinic Orland Township will host its monthly immunization clinic this Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., at the township building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Flu shots will also be available on this day.

Free vaccines are available to township children 18 and under.

Some eligibility restrictions apply. Non-residential children who meet the eligibility guidelines are welcome. For children residing outside of the township’s boundaries, a $20 administration fee per vaccine will be charged (not applicable to those with Medicaid).

An up-to-date shot record is mandatory to receive any vaccine, and children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Children’s vaccines that are available include DTaP, DTaPHep B-IPV, DTaP-IPV-Hib, DTaP-IPV, Hep A, Hep B, Hep B-Hib, HPV, Meningococcal, Meningococcal B, MMR, IPV, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Tdap and Varicella. Adult vaccines that are available include HPV, Pneumococcal, Hep A, Tuberculosis, Hep B, Tdap, IPV, Meningococcal, Meningococcal B, Hep A-Hep B, MMR,Varicella and Shingles.

For additional clinic dates and adult immunization prices, visit www.orlandtownship.org.

Smith Crossing support group for caregivers of people with dementia Smith Crossing, a life plan community, is inviting residents in or near Orland Park who are caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia Supplied photo

Meet Dr. Carol and Sully from Mokena. Sully is a one-year old Wheaton Terrier.

dog weighing 10 kg would convert to 5.62. (Those not adept at using a scientific calculator for this purpose can use a calculator that has a square root key. In the example above of a dog weighing 10 kg, you cube the body weight in kilograms (10 X 10 X 10 = 1,000) and take the square root of 1,000 twice = 5.62. This value is then multiplied by the recommended values above).

Thus, for arthritis in a 30-pound dog: 30 pounds equals 13.6 kg and 13.6 cubed is 2,515. Take the square root of 2,515 twice to arrive at 7.08. Multiply 7.08 times 310, which equals 2,194 mg needed of the omega-3 fraction contained in the product you buy. Some fish oil products may say “1,200 mg per capsule” on the front label. This is not the amount of the beneficial omega-3. You must turn the bottle around and read the small print and add up the mg of EPA and DHA. In our example, if your product contains 180 mg EPA and 240 mg DHA (420 mg total) you would have to give five to six capsules daily (2194/420).

Most vets carry fish oil products that contain at least 600 mg per capsule, which allows you to give fewer caps daily.

He who gives little shouldn’t ask for much.

Anonymous

Nursing Homes list.

Ollmann said, “We’ve had an exceptional year of recognition at Park Villa and believe that with the unveiling of our corporate rebrand in early 2017, Villa’s momentum as a whole in the industry will only continue to grow.”

Villa Healthcare is planning to launch a complete rebrand, showcasing a new, modern look and feel that still portrays its longstanding priority of making residents and staff better. This includes new corporate and center websites and collateral as well as innovative staff and resident initiatives.

To qualify as a Best Nursing Home for 20162017, centers had to earn an average of 4.5 stars or better over 12 months, while also consistently meeting performance standards set by U.S. News during that timeframe.

Ollmann continued, “At Park Villa and all Villa centers, we pride ourselves on never settling, striving to create innovative methods of improving the staff and guest experience. This recognition would not have been possible without our remarkable staff.”

A little more than 2,000 centers nationwide made the list this year, representing about 13 percent of all nursing homes. This illustrates a 41 percent decrease in the number of centers that placed compared to last year, due to the stricter standards.

For more about Villa Healthcare, visit villahc. com or call 847-440-2660.

HEALTH BEAT

Palos Township is sponsoring health screenings on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Palos Township Health Service, 10802 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills.

Vitamin D screening is $25, Thyroid screening is $15, Healthy Heart screening is $60 and includes CBC, blood chemistry, coronary risk profile, blood oxygen and more (an $800 value).

Testing is open to residents and non-residents. Checks and credit cards are accepted. Cash must be exact. Call 598-2441 to schedule an appointment.

DVM • PrairieStateVet.com

Dear Chuck, I take fish oil twice daily and think it has helped lower my cholesterol. And yes, we do recommend fish oil for certain conditions in pets.

Fish oil products are usually used for the treatment of itching from allergies, idiopathic seborrhea, military dermatitis and eosinophilic granuloma complex.

In cats, omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids may be helpful to reduce cytokines and improve appetite in cats in heart failure. Fatty acids help improve the hair coat quality and may be helpful in arthritic conditions such as hip dysplasia. Generally, products containing the polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docohexaenoic (DHA) are recommended.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, with their anti-inflammatory properties, may prove useful for a variety of conditions including renal failure, arthritis (both degenerative and autoimmune), heart disease (hypercoagulable states, heart failure, and dysrhythmias), inflammatory bowel disease, hepatic fibrosis and steatosis and some neoplastic diseases.

The ACVIM consensus statement on using omega-3’s in renal failure states: The treatment strategies to be considered are to feed an appropriate diet (one with reduced quantities but high quality protein with omega-3 supplementation), and to administer and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

Fish oil (but not flaxseed oil) significantly reduced VPC’s in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Fish oils may affect production of inflammatory prostaglandins in the body, thereby reducing inflammation and itching. Essential fatty acids are necessary for normal skin and hair coat.

Fatty acids should be used with caution in dogs that have had previous bouts of pancreatitis or protracted diarrhea.

Some suggested doses of Omega-3’s (extra-label) are as follows: For cardiovascular disease 115 mg/ kg to the 0.75 power (i.e. “metabolic body weight”).

For kidney disease 140 mg/kg to the 0.75 power, for osteoarthritis 310mg/kg to the 0.75 power and for allergies (atopy) or inflammatory bowel disease 125 mg/kg to the 0.75 power.

To convert the dog’s body weight in kilograms to the metabolic body weight, take the actual weight in kg and raise it to the 0.75 power. For example, a

Park Villa named a Best Nursing Home in Illinois by U.S. News

Health screenings at Palos Township

JOHN FLEMING

The Regional News

to attend a memory support group at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Smith Crossing, 10501 Emilie Lane (enter at 104th Avenue and 183rd Street), will hold an open forum discussion led by its life enrichment director Dana Mahler and social services director Amy Majcina. Light refreshments will be served before the meeting ends at 7:30 p.m.

To reserve a seat, call 708-3262300 or email to familyandfreinds@smithcrossing.org.

Wellness Program for Orland Twp. residents Residents in need of medical services may purchase a discounted Wellness Program voucher at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue, during office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Proof of residency is required.

The Wellness Program offers services at a discount of up to 50 percent. The services include allergy and immunology ($75), adult and children’s physicals ($40 and $35), podiatry screenings ($30 and $25-senior), dermatology consultation ($120), dental screenings ($15), dental examinations and cleanings ($50), dental examinations, cleanings and x-rays ($100), physical therapy ($45) vision examinations ($45) and chiropractic examinations ($45).

Residents may choose a participating doctor from the Wellness Program doctors’ list, which can be found at www.orlandtownship. org, and once the voucher is purchased, an appointment can be scheduled directly with the doctor’s office.

For more on the Wellness Program, call (708) 403-4222.

Hearing screenings at Orland Township South Suburban Hearing Health Center will be at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., to conduct free hearing screenings on the first Wednesday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Orland Hearing Aid Center, 12910 S. LaGrange Road, will also be conducting free hearing screenings at the township on the third Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

An appointment is necessary; call 403-4222.

Free CPR classes at Orland Township Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., is hosting free CPR classes for both seniors and adults ages 16-54.

The classes are led by instructors from the Orland Fire Protection District and certificates will be distributed upon completion.

Additional classes, including health care provider CPR, which includes certification, are also held monthly at the fire department’s Station 3. Dates and times may be found at www.orlandfire.org.

Learn the required skills and gain the confidence to take charge in a medical emergency; it may help save the life of a spouse, family member or friend. Registration is required, so call 403-4222 to reserve a seat.

Meningococcal disease vaccine at Orland Twp. Orland Township is now offering meningococcal B vaccine for serogroup B at monthly immunization clinics. The new meningococcal B vaccine is available free of charge to eligible children 18 and under. This new vaccine is offered in addition to the meningococcal for protection against serogroups A, C, W and Y. Meningococcal B vaccine is intended for children 10 years or older who are at increased risk for serogroup B including: People at risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak; Anyone whose spleen is damaged or has been removed Anyone with a rare immune system condition called “persistent complement component deficiency” Anyone taking a drug called eculizumab (also called Soliris®) Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates of N. meningitides These vaccines may also be given to anyone 16 through 23 years old to provide short-term protection against most strains of serogroup B meningococcal disease; 16 through 18 years are the preferred ages for vaccination.

For best protection, more than one dose of a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine is needed. The same vaccine must be used for all doses. Ask your health care provider about the number and timing of doses.

For more information on meningococcal b vaccine, call 403-4222.

Holiday open house will be held at Mercy Circle retirement care facility A holiday open house and tour will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 4 at Mercy Circle, 3659 W. 99th St., Chicago, a continuing care retirement community.

The retirement community, which opened in 2013, offers healthcare and services for independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care residents.

“We are so excited to invite our neighbors to the Mercy Circle open house this holiday season,” said Frances Lachowicz, executive director of the senior living center.

“We are proud of Mercy Circle and the quality services we provide.”

Holiday refreshments will be served and complimentary parking is available by entering the

lot from 99th Street. Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet Marge Everett, the new Senior Living Advisor at Mercy Circle.

“I am very passionate about working with seniors,” said Everett. “When they tell me their life stories, I learn what’s important to them. My role is to help older adults plan for their future, which is a very fulfilling responsibility.”

Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest, it is the only faith-based retirement community in the area. Mercy Circle’s amenities, enrichment programs and services, including the dining program, are customized for each setting and level of service.

For more information or to schedule a private appointment, call (773) 253-3600.

Marge Everett (above) is the new Senior Living Advisor at Mercy Circle.

An open house for the continuing care center will be held Sunday at the facility, 3659 W. 99th St., Chicago.

BUSINESS

The Regional News

Thursday, December 1, 2016

9

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Everyone benefits when you make charitable gifts Supplied photos

Employee volunteers from the Orland Park Lowe’s Store chose the village of Orland Park Veterans Center for its “Hero’s Project,” making a number of aesthetic improvements inside and outside of the 50- year-old village building.

Orland Park Lowe’s employees give Vets Center a makeover The Village of Orland Park Veterans Center — the George Brown Commons — at 15045 W. Ave., recently received a refreshing facelift because of the generosity of the employees from the Orland Park Lowe’s Store.

“The village and our veterans are grateful for all that the Lowe’s employees did on their own time to brighten up the Veterans Center,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “All of our local veterans’ groups meet at this building and it means a lot to everyone to have it looking so great.”

Built in 1966 and now 50 years old, the familiar brown brick building has a long history in village government. It was first used as a water facility for the village’s Public Works Department becoming the Police Department when it was remodeled by officers in 1973.

It was the Police Department until 1983 when the building that is now Recreation Administration at 14600 S. Ravinia Avenue debuted as Orland Park’s state of the art police facility. In 2007, the Police Department moved south on Ravinia Avenue to its current facility at 15100.

In 1985, the building was named the George Brown Commons for the village’s former building commissioner. Mayor McLaughlin invited local veterans groups to use the George Brown Commons in 2005.

“We have a great group of people who wanted to do some-

thing special for those who have gone above and beyond for our country,” said Orland Park Lowe’s Store Manager Don Wybourn.

“The Lowe’s employee volunteers put their hearts and souls into this project and it was their way to say thank you to the veterans.”

Inside of the building, Lowe’s volunteers washed and painted all of the interior walls and doors.

They removed, cleaned and rehung the many pictures hanging on the walls and added an American flag mural to the building’s main room. The volunteers cleaned and painted all of the interior rooms adding shelving, light fixtures and decorations.

Jan Grad, an Orland Park Lowe’s employee, explained, “Every year we choose an individual or a group in need and we try to fulfill their wishes as much as we can. This is a store project because we are all involved in some way.”

In the building’s kitchen, Lowe’s volunteers painted and installed new cabinets and shelving.

They cleaned and lined the drawers along with re-organizing and re-stocking the building’s cleaning products. The interior foyer and rugs were cleaned and transition pieces near the front and rear doors were repaired with floor areas patched near both doors.

“When we saw all that the Lowe’s employees had done, we were amazed,” said Orland Park Veterans Commissioner Tom Dubelbeis. “All of the vets were very impressed with how great

the building looks, both inside and out.”

Outside, the volunteers cleared all of the debris from the bushes and re-mulched the Capt. Ronald Zinn Memorial Garden at the front of the building. Lowe’s volunteers mulched all of the building’s areas, planted flowers and shrubs along the front and side of the building and added two picnic benches.

Crews painted and repaired the outside doors and the outside glass signage case. They also planted small trees in pots near the door area and donated a new garden hose for the facility.

“It was a pleasure and an honor to be able to do this for the men and women at Orland Park’s Veterans Center,” Grad said. “We appreciate all that they’ve done and we wanted to show our appreciation even if in a small way.”

Orland Park’s Veterans Center is now home to two Eagle Scout Projects, the Zinn Memorial Garden in the front lawn that was created in 2014 and the wooden bench inside of the building that was presented in 2016.

“Everything that has been done at the Veterans Center is a great example of the Orland Park community working together,” McLaughlin said. “We have veterans meeting here every week for coffee. There are two Eagle Scout Projects at this building and we had employees from a local business volunteer their time to make things nicer for our vets.”

— Village of Orland Park

COMINGS & GOINGS

The Dugout for sale in Burbank BOB BONG Just two months after his restaurant was inducted into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame, Mike DiStefano has decided to sell The Dugout.

It came down to timing, he said.

With the restaurant being honored as one of the 109 Hall of Fame hot dog vendors by Vienna, after selling countless dogs and other delicacies since 1984, and with his being ready for a change, DiStefano, 55, decided it was the perfect time to sell.

The Dugout is at 6300 W. 79th St. in Burbank and DiStefano has been there practically every day since the doors opened Aug. 13, 1984.

“That’s a long time. I’ve had one vacation, and that was for my honeymoon,” he said.

The marriage? It ended in divorce. The Dugout?

It’s still going strong. DiStefano, however, is ready.

“I thought if there ever was at time to get out, strike when the iron is hot,” he said. “We’re one of 109 Hall of Fame places. It’s time. I’m going to miss all the people. That’s why I do it. But I’m here seven days a week. I’m up at 4 a.m. each day.

That gets hard. I don’t want to be one of these guys who works himself into a grave.”

When he’s not minding the store, DiStefano works as an off-ice official for the National Hockey League.

He’s at each Blackhawks game in the United Center, in the press box, calling shots on goals, hits and helping settle discrepancies on the ice.

“I’m also a concussion spotter. That’s new with the NHL. I report to New York during the games.

We have the power to pull guys out during games.

The NHL has taken a major stance on concussions,” DiStefano said.

An auction for the restaurant it tentatively scheduled for Dec. 15 at the Oak Lawn Hilton. Call Diliberto Real Estate Services at 708-361-2437 for more information. About 35 people have expressed interest already, DiStefano said.

Point Blank opens in Hodgkins Point Blank Range & Gun Shop will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 3 p.m. today in Hodgkins.

The Ohio-based chain of gun ranges and stores opened last month at 9400 W. 63rd St. near the Quarry Mall in Hodgkins. A second shop opened Oct. 24 at 18810 S. 88th Avenue in Mokena.

Photo by Steve Metsch

Mike DiStefano, 55, owner of The Dugout in Burbank, has decided to sell the restaurant he opened in 1984.

The two gun stores are the company’s first in Illinois. It also has stores in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky and plans to build more.

Plans were announced in August for a Point Blank location in Merrillville in northwest Indiana.

The Hodgkins location has 20 shooting lanes and 4,000 square feet of classrooms and offices. The total size of the space is 15,080 square feet with parking space for 80-90 cars.

Loan company to open in Summit Crystal Rock Finance will hold a grand opening Friday for its new Summit office at 7639 W. 63rd St. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. The company will give away free $25 Amazon gift cards every half-hour. Sandwiches and cake will be served.

The Summit location will be its second in Illinois.

The other office is in East St. Louis.

The company is a neighborhood lender, providing installment loans with both affordable and custom repayment schedules.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

For information, call 800-903-7994.

Steve Metsch contributed to this report.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

Now that we are in the heart of the holiday season, you may be thinking about ways you can put your money where your heart is. Specifically, you might be pondering which groups you should support with charitable gifts. And as long as you choose groups that meet the right criteria, your generosity can also be rewarding to you, in the form of tax benefits.

To begin with, you’ll want to make sure you are giving to a reputable charity. That means you’ll need to ask some questions. How does a group measure its effectiveness? Is it devoting as much of its contributions as possible to the actual work of the organization, or is it spending too much money on administrative costs? Generally, a worthwhile charity should spend at least 75% of its income on programs. You may be able to find this type of information on a charitable group’s annual report and its website. You can also go to the website of one of the agencies that evaluates charitable groups. On these sites, you can get a lot of information dealing with a charity’s effectiveness, income, spending and other topics.

After you’ve identified a charity, or charities, you can decide how much you want to give and how you want to give it. If the charity has 501(c) (3) status (named after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that governs such groups), your gift can offer you a tax deduction. So, for example, if you are in the 25% tax bracket, and you give $1,000 to a qualified charity, you can subtract the $1,000 from your adjusted gross income, which will result in tax savings of $250. Upon making your gift, make sure you get a receipt that lists the name of the organization and the date and amount of your contribution. (Your maximum deduction will be limited to a percentage of your adjusted gross income.)

You can do more than simply write a check, however. If you have stocks that have grown sig-

Jim Van Howe Edward Jones

nificantly in value, you may want to donate them to a charitable group. You will be allowed a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift on the date of the transfer, even if your original cost was only a fraction of today’s value. Furthermore, you will avoid the capital gains taxes you’d have to pay if you sold the stock, provided you’ve held the stock for at least a year.

If you do contribute appreciated stocks, you will want to be cognizant of the effect of your donation on your portfolio. If you were to give a sizable amount of growth-oriented stocks, would it affect your overall growth potential? Conversely, if you are primarily giving away relatively conservative, income-producing stocks, would it end up moving your portfolio in a riskier direction? When donating stocks, if at all possible try to do so in a way that does not harm your portfolio’s balance.

In any case, whether you give cash or appreciated assets, you’ll need to make your gift by Dec. 31 if you’re going to deduct it on your 2016 taxes. So be as generous as you can afford, think about the effect of your gift on your own financial situation — and be prepared to act soon.

Jim Van Howe is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Palos Heights. His office is at 7001 W. 127th St. He can be reached at 361-3400. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

AREA PROPERTY TRANSFERS Following are the property transfers in the area, according to the latest report, as received from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office. The Regional News does not attempt to correct errors made by that office.

Orland Park CPM Investments LLC to Foster Chester H Jr, 16311 Byron Dr, $143,500; Bank Amer to Roufail Sobhy, 15114 Evergreen Dr, Unit #22B, $92,000; Manobianco Gloria to Tafoya Tina Marie, 9750 Koch Ct, Unit #1B, $130,000; Tomes Otto D to Biro Cynthia, 11221 Bradley Ct, $205,000; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Lucas Elmer A, 9449 Debbie Ln, $232,000; Kotula Richard L to Welcome Steven J, 14613 Mesquite Dr, $303,000; Petecki George W Tr to Hays Linda, 9940 153rd St, Unit #2A, $70,000; Simon Steve M to Lysaught James Steven, 16513 S Pear Ave, $342,000; Di Silvestro Ida M to Bragassi Barbara, 14216 Clearview Dr, $242,500; Fralich Bradley J to Akpan Ogochukwu I, 15308 Jillian Ct, $601,000; Kwasigroch Donald J Tr to Abalos Anna, 7809 W 157th St, Unit #78091S, $146,000; Orland Pk Rlty Trust to Hajjjar Charles C Tr, 11901 W 143rd St, $2,537,000; Gundich Richard H to Pappas John G, 9020 Kathy Ct, $245,000; West Cynthia S to Wagner Sean, 7215 152nd Ct, Unit #41, $156,000; Poe Michael S to Mcgeever Martin J, 8012 157th St, $270,000; Standard B&T Co Tr to Giannetta Melissa A, 1561 Centennial Ct, Unit #15641, $178,500; Wiltgen Mark L to Milani Mia A, 13720 Trafalgar Ct, $465,000; Judicial Sales Corp to ERP Investments LLC, 9146 Greencastle Ln, $99,000; Muentzer Elizabeth L Tr to Okrasinski Douglas, 14101 Catherine Dr, $365,500; Nussbaum Linda Adm to Bachleda-Kubanski Krzysztof, 23 Ruggles Ct, $255,000; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Koomson Charles, 15339 73rd Ave, Unit #26, $147,500; Marquette Bk Tr to Pinnacle Bldg Corp, 10543 Eagle Ridge Dr, Unit #129, $155,000; Puzell Joseph T to Zdanio Jason, 14050 Cristina Ave, $285,000; Azad Shahnaz Tr to Gilton Sonja Enge, 16818 Spicebush Ln, $268,500; Broad St Fundg Trust 1 to LBS Holdings Worldwide Inc, 14736 Pine Tree Rd, $217,500; Galassie Vincent D to Dyra Brittany, 8903 Silverdale Dr, Unit #5B, $215,000; Falloon Thomas V to Callis Michael W, 10832 Royal Glenn

Dr, $480,000; Banach Joseph J to Elzayyat Khaled, 10630 Tower Dr, $600,000; Oneil Patrick S Berry Katrinia, 11152 Saratoga Dr, $193,000; Biro Cynthia to Walker Gail, 10953 New Mexico Ct, Unit #162, $210,000; Granko Cheryl to Cuyos Alberto Cohtleto, 9927 Constitution Dr, $218,000; Bayview Loan Servicing LLC to Michau Kevin, 9100 147th St, $144,500.

Palos Heights Fitzsimmons Surgical Sply Inc to Modern Day Mgmt & Inv Grp LLC, 11925 S Harlem Ave, $300,000; Alkema Paul Tr to RCPS Dev LLC-6200 W 127th St Tract A LLC, 6200 W 127th St, $195,500; Alkema Paul Tr to RCPS Dev

LLC-6200 W 127th St Tract B LLC, 6200 W 127th St, $55,000; Davies Grant A to Smith Thomas J, 12807 S 70th Ave, $345,000; Wallace Robert J to AZ SPE LLC, 31 Sorrento Dr, Unit #31, $144,500; Wood Ikuko to Ruanto Roy Yves, 13261 Oak Ridge Trl, Unit #132612B, $173,000; Izzo Joseph to Cusack Patrick, 12512 Melvina Ave, $270,000.

Palos Park Standard B&T Co Tr to Maas Jason E, 11349 123rd St, $627,500; Uscila Joseph to Szpindor Adam, 11916 89th Ct, $475,000; Sweeney Jerome F to Toma Matthew, 7833 W 123rd Pl, $237,500; First Midwest Bk to Christopher Robert A, 1 St. Moritz Dr, Unit #10201, $190,000.

Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of November 28)

30-year fixed 15-year fixed 30-year fixed Jumbo

RATES APR POINTS 4.125 4.160 0 3.375 3.430 0 4.125 4.170 0

United Trust Bank (as of November 28)

30-year fixed 15-year fixed 10-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 4.125 4.146 0 3.375 3.411 0 3.250 3.303 0

Prospect Federal (as of November 28)

30-year fixed 20-year fixed 15-year fixed

RATES APR POINTS 4.125 4.186 .25 3.875 3.938 .25 3.375 3.438 .25

All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.

10 Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Regional News

DEATH NOTICES Helen E. O’Hagan O’Hagan, Helen E. (nee Herold). Longtime member of the Palos Heights & Saint Alexander Seniors Organizations and St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Beloved wife of the late Eugene J. O’Hagan Jr. Loving sister of the late Anthony J. Herold.

Dear sister-in-law of the late: William J. (May) O’Hagan, Eileen (John) Whalen & Phyllis (Donald) Powers.

Jennie C. Aardsma

Jennie C. Aardsma, nee DeYoung, age 95, of Palos Park, died on Nov. 24. Beloved wife of the late Walter (1994). Loving mother of Jennie Lee (the late Paul) Sporleder, Eunice (Jack) Hoekstra and Evelyn (Vernon) Stoub. Cherished grandmother “Woe-Woe” of 11 and great-grandmother of 30.

Fond sister of Evelyn Aardsma and the late Ethel Haddick.

Visitation was held Nov. 27, funeral service Nov. 28 at Colonial Chapel, in Orland Park. Interment Mt. Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials to Elim Christian Teachers Jackie Johnson (from left), Maggie Lavin, Jen Connelly, Nick Brannigan and Jerry McNulty of the Adult Services preferred.

Transition Program in District 218. They and their students collected more than 1,200 nonperishable items in their Thanksgiving food drive.

Special ed students collect more than 1,000 cans of food For such a small group of students, the Adult Transition Program for High School District 218 features some awfully big hearts.

ATP provides job training and life skills for special education students ages 18 to 21. Teachers sponsored a contest for a Thanksgiving food drive and the students, just 85, collected more than 1,200 nonperishable food items and $300 in donations for the needy.

“We did, what I would call, an astonishing job in encouraging students to give to those less fortunate than ourselves,” said teacher Jen Connelly. “What a

humbling experience this has been for everyone.”

Teachers sponsored a contest with the winning class earning a pizza party. The totals: Jerry McNulty, 497; Nick Brannigan, 436; Jen Connelly, 244; Maggie Lavin, 137; and, Jackie Johnson, 101.

Students replied enthusiastically when asked how they felt about the success of the food drive.

“Awesome! It was a lot of fun,” said Tim Gonzales “It was nice to help other people” added Matt Gdowski.

Vincent Price said “it made me

George C. Ausherman

George C. Ausherman, age 91, of Palos Park, died on Nov. 27. Beloved husband of Charlotte nee Schulman. Loving father of Crystal (Tom) Page.

Cherished grandfather of Christopher (Amanda) Page, Heather (Brandon) Lewis, & Patrick Page.

Great Grandfather of Zoey, Chloe, & Riley. Dear brother of Dr. Charles (Rieneke) Ausherman, the late Mae (the late Art) Korte, the late La Rae (the late Edward) Teffeau, & the late Lillian (the late Ted) Pociecha. Best friend & business partner of Joe Capparelli. Fond uncle & dear friend of many.

Former owner of Auburn Electric. Member of Palos Park VFW and a steward at Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church and former member of Christ Church in Oak Brook. Visitation today (Thursday) 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 10701 S. Harlem Ave., Worth. Lying in State Friday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to time of Service 11 a.m. at the Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, 12312 S. 88th Ave. Palos Park, Interment Mt. Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to a Veteran Charity of your choice appreciated.

feel nice, because we were helping the needy.”

Mariah Fitzgerald collected the most food of any student and won a gift card to Target.

“The determination of every class was amazing. We had so much food!” “He later made it clear that that was one of the reasons they planned on promoting me, because they knew they could trust me,” she said.

“The food drive made me feel very helpful. It was great to help Jan F. Kaval Jan F. Kaval, of Palos Heights, died Nov. 28 at others out,” said Tameka Morris. home.

Best friend, soulmate and cherished partner of — High School District 218

Fond aunt of many nieces & nephews.

Visitation Saturday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. until time of chapel prayers 11 a.m. at the Kerry Funeral Home, 7020 W. 127th Street, Palos Heights proceeding to Saint Alexander Church, Mass 11:30 a.m.

Interment St. Mary Cemetery will be private. www.kerryfh.com ~ (708) 361.4235 ~ www. facebook.com/kerryfuneral 32 years to Julie Callahan. Devoted Mom of Susan L. “Sus” (Rich-CFD) Vopicka. Adored Grandma Jannie “GJ” of Lauren Julia Vopicka. Loving sister of Merrill (Karen). Devoted niece of Josephine Logay. Fond aunt of Kristina, the late Kristopher, Jennifer, Shannon, Jennifer, the late Marilyn, and the late Jacquelyn. Special sister-in-law of Richard and Kathy Lovell. Dear friend to Marge and Mike Callahan. Jan will be sorely missed by Josh, her Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Ms. Kaval worked as a nursing home administrator. She was born in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Lakeland Animal Shelter in Delavan, Wis., appreciated. Memorial visitation Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10: 30 a.m. until time of service, noon at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills.

Ruth Whitlow

Ruth Whitlow, nee Baldock, age 98, of Orland Park, formerly of Grant Park, Flossmoor, Harvey and Summer Shade, Kentucky passed away on Saturday, Nov. 26. Loving wife of the late Wayne L. Whitlow; beloved mother of Douglas (Beverly) Whitlow, Marcus (Gina) Whitlow, the late Larry (Eva) Whitlow, and the late Mary Whitlow. Cherished grandmother of Larry Jr, Johnny, Jimmy (late Violet), Tommy (Lisa), Brandy, Kimberly (James), the late Todd, Amanda, Candice (Eric), Marcus H., and Alex. Proud great-grandmother of 10 great-granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons. Preceded in death by her brothers Robert (late Ona) and James (Ester).

Ruth loved spending time with family and friends, cherishing all the beauty mother nature and God offers, and traveling.

Visitation was held Wednesday, Nov. 30, with a Funeral Service to follow at Colonial Chapel 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. Interment in Summer Shade, KY on Friday, Dec. 2.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Heart Association appreciated.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP Multi-Parish Respect Life series The Multi Parish Respect Life Ministries Knowledge and Prayer series will close its fifth year of programming with a special Holy Hour for Life, Marriage and Family at 7 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 2, at St. Bernard’s Parish, 13030 W. 143rd. St., in Homer Glen.

Part of the program will be a special showing of the new short film “Sing a Little Louder.” This sobering, yet hopeful film, is described as a wake-up call to all to be pro-active against the forces arrayed against families, marriage, life and faith. Film suitable for teens and up. Join for fellowship after the program.

This program is sponsored by the Multi Parish Respect Life Ministries from St. Bernard’ & Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen and Our Lady of the Woods, St. Francis

of Assisi and St. Michael in Orland Park.

Christmas for Kids at Palos Lutheran Church Palos Lutheran Church, at 12424 S. 71st Court, will host “Christmas for Kids” this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, followed by pizza, salad and desserts for parents, too., at noon.

Ages 3 through 3rd grade are welcome for devotion, craft, snack, games and singing. It’s also an opportunity to get some last-minute shopping done. For more, call 448-2260.

Pancake breakfast at Our Lady of the Woods A pancake breakfast sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will be served this Sunday, Dec. 4, from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Our

Lady of the Wood Church, in the Finnegan Center gym, 10731 W. 131st St., Orland Park.

Cost is $7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children under 12. Pancakes, baked ham, sausage, tater tots, juice, coffee and tea will be served.

Tickets will be sold after Masses or at the door.

St. Nicholas will be available for photos. Vocations support raffle tickets will be sold. First prize is $10,000. Finalists in the Knights of Columbus poster contest will be displayed and winners announced.

St. Spyridon Christmas Arts and Crafts Show St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church will hold the Philoptochos Society’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Show this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m., at the church, 12307 S. Ridgeland Ave. It will include a craft sale, Greek pastries,

Greek food and more.

Final Father Stanley Rudcki Heritage Concert The final Father Stanley R. Rudcki Heritage Christmas Concert conducted by Patrick Mooney will be given this Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m., at St. Alexander Church, 7025 W. 126th St., Palos Heights.

Organizer Paul Knez said this will be the final concert because the concert fund established by Father Stan’s family after his death in 2013 has been exhausted.

The audience is the chorus, but people may attend and listen only.

Scores will be available for sale at $10 each, cash please.

Part I , traditionally called the Christmas section, and the Halle-

lujah Chorus will be performed, and will take about an hour.

Call 448-7833 or email pkueltzo@pmcucc.org to register; no ticket required. A free-will offering will be received.

Do it Yourself ‘Messiah’ at Peace Memorial Church Peace Memorial Church, 10300 W. 131st St. in Palos Park, will hold a Do It Yourself ‘Messiah’ at 2 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 11.

Professional musicians and soloists will provide the accompaniment, and Robert Mohr will direct.

Selected “Finest Funeral Service”

Palos-Gaidas FUNERAL HOME 11028 Southwest Hwy. Palos Hills

708-974-4410

www.palosgaidasfh.com

Supplied photo

Visitors will make a pilgrimage from The Center’s Lodge over the bridge to the Children’s Farm to see shepherds, sheep, the Magi on horseback, the baby Jesus and more.

Away to the manger from The Center to Children’s Farm The Center in Palos Park will take people along on a pilgrimage to the manger this Saturday, at 5:30 p.m. Pilgrims will gather in the Lodge to don Judean headgear in order to follow Mary and Joseph

on their pilgrimage to the manger.

Participants are asked to dress for cold weather for the walk across the bridge to the Children’s Farm. There, shepherds with their sheep and the Magi on horseback

will be on hand as the Rev. Chris Hopkins will lead the group in scripture and carols.

All are welcome to experience that first Christmas on this truly special night for both children

and adults. There is no fee, but a freewill donation is greatly appreciated.

The Center is at 12700 Southwest Hwy. For more, call 3613650.

The Regional News

Thursday, December 1, 2016

PHOTO MEMORIES FROM THE REGIONAL ARCHIVE

40 Years Ago This Week

File photo from Dec. 2, 1976

To help celebrate Thanksgiving in the Palos area, the Palos Center of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago lighted the Palos Park village hall on Thanksgiving night with luminaria. Luminaria is a Mexican custom where the “little fires” are used to light Christ’s way on Christmas Eve. These candles, burning inside brown bag holders, are seen in increasing numbers of families’ paths and driveways on Christmas Eve, and on walkways to churches. They are also used by many people at the time of Christmas parties in their homes. The Palos Center of Infant Welfare will be selling luminaria at the village hall.

11

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1 Peru’s __ Picchu 6 Angle iron 10 Highest point 14 Kindle download 15 SeaWorld performer 16 Ellington’s “Take __ Train” 17 Older name for a passenger bus 19 Glass darkener 20 Responded in court 21 Cape NNW of Cod 22 Saguaros, e.g.

23 Covered up 24 Wedding gown follower 27 Place in quarantine 29 Legal thing 30 Came down with 31 Kate, before Petruchio’s “taming” 32 Bit of legislation 33 U2 lead singer 34 Like one resisting innovation 38 Die dots 41 Thumbs-up 42 Best man’s offering 46 Santa __ winds 47 Fellows 48 Stir-fry vegetable 50 Pirate Blackbeard’s real name 53 Rank below cpl.

54 Believer in the Great Pumpkin 55 NYC airport 56 Narrow opening 57 Installed, as carpet 58 Hole-making tool 61 Years, to Nero 62 Wows, and how 63 Stone marker 64 Droops over time 65 Peel in a cocktail 66 Filled with cargo Down 1 Tennessee home of the

NBA’s Grizzlies 2 Do away with 3 French department that translates to “golden slope” 4 Robin __ 5 Kiev is its cap.

6 Canadian coin nicknamed for the bird on it 7 Lego or Eggo, for example 8 Duke Univ. conference 9 Stadium shout 10 Rose essence 11 Lake Michigan metropolis 12 Bring up 13 Chip away at 18 Golfer’s ride 22 Dollar divs.

24 Cry out loud 25 Curved foot part 26 “Dallas Buyers Club” actor Jared 28 Some summer babies, astrologically 32 Summer coolers, for

short 33 What winds do 35 Like Easter eggs 36 Emailed 37 Texter’s “From a different angle ...”

38 Spanish rice dishes 39 Gary’s home 40 Hocking 43 Answered a help-wanted ad, say 44 Whence Rossini’s barber 45 Spilled the beans 47 Dalloway’s title 48 Most judicious 49 Virg. neighbor 51 German cars 52 Actor Cary 56 Latina lass: Abbr.

58 Peace, in Acapulco 59 Be indebted to 60 High-speed www option (Answers on page 7)

SUDOKU 20 Years Ago This Week

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.

Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

File photo from Dec. 5, 1996

The Lions of Christmas: It’s time to buy your Christmas tree, and the Lions Clubs of Palos and Orland Park hope you’ll give their selections the nod. Palos Lions Dick Welge and Bill Sutley stand amid a forest of bargains at the Lions tree lot. All proceeds support the club’s many good works in town and around the world. [This year’s Orland Park Lions Club Christmas tree sales lot is open on the west side of La Grange Road at 142nd Street. The Palos Lions’ Christmas tree lot is open in the First Midwest Bank lot on Harlem Avenue, just north of 127th Street.]

(Answers on page 7)

Photo by Joe Boyle

WHATIZIT? The clue for this week’s Whatizit photo (above) is: Liberal arts.

Send your responses with your name and hometown by noon Monday to thereporter@comcast.net.

We knew last week’s Whatizit photo quiz was going to be tricky.

The hint was fab image. We would have accepted a reference to The Beatles. In this case the image that appears on the front facade of P.J.’s Pour House Saloon in the 5600 block of West 87th Street in Oak Lawn is George Harrison, the lead guitar player for The Beatles.

The painted image is present to those who walk past the establishment or are driving east along 87th Street.

Harrison joined The Beatles as a 14-year-old at the urging of his school friend, Paul McCartney. John Lennon, 17 at the time, was reluctant to add Harrison because of his age. But after he saw him play some rock standards, he changed his mind. The rest, as they say, is history.

After the band broke up in 1970, Harrison had as series of hit songs and albums. He also became a movie producer for many years. He died Nov. 29, 2001 in Los Angeles from lung cancer. He was 58.

His last album, “Brainwashed,” was released a year later.

10 Years Ago This Week

File photo from Nov. 30, 2006

Christmastime in Palos will be held this Saturday at the Palos Heights Public Library. Friends of the Library Vice President Joan Meyers and Administrative Librarian Elaine Savage take tea in the Fireside Adult Reading Room, where refreshments will abound during the festive occasion. The library will brim with Christmas cheer as friends and neighbors gather to celebrate the start of the holiday season at the second Christmastime in Palos. [This year’s 12th annual event will be held this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at the library, 12501 S. 71st Ave.]

12 Thursday, December 1, 2016

LIFESTYLE

The Regional News

Photo courtesy Jeanne Stacey

Grassland final of the year

The last Orland Grassland Bird Walk for 2016 will be held this Saturday, at 7 a.m. Organized by the Orland Grassland Volunteers, the group will meet at the Orland Grassland lot on 167th Street just west of La Grange Road. They will be looking for winter and water birds. Mike McNamee, bird monitor, will be on hand to point them out. Bring your binoculars; wear sturdy shoes and long pants.

Dress warmly. A northern harrier is pictured in flight at the Orland Grassland. For more, call Marnie Baker at 942-8038 or visit orlandgrassland.org.

ST. LAURENCE HIGH SCHOOL “Where Leadership Begins”

See why more young men are choosing St. Laurence for their high school experience.

Visit Us for Open House Sunday, December 4 - 10 am to Noon Join us at 9 am for a free breakfast!

ENTRANCE EXAM SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

Christmas Walk ahead This is one of eight trees in the 5,200 sq. ft two-story home in Palos Park featured on the Palos Heights Woman’s Club annual Christmas Walk on Saturday, Dec. 10. The owner has several themed trees, including a Starbucks tree and a tree decorated with Christopher Radko ornaments. Tickets to the walk are $40 and must be purchased in advance at Mona Lisa Boutique, 12330 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights. The fun day starts with a full, hot breakfast at the Palos Country Club. There will be a holiday boutique with unique items for sale, several basket raffles, the Win-Win raffle and sale of homemade cookies. Then the guests will tour five local homes decorated for the holidays.

• St. Laurence was voted Best Private School in the Southland by the Daily Southtown for the second consecutive year • All juniors participate in an ACT prep program as part of the school day. On average, participants saw a four-point increase by the end of the course in last year’s pilot program • St. Laurence recently invested $200,000 into IT infrastructure to support 1:1 iPad integration, creating a modern learning atmosphere where students can thrive

St. Laurence High School - 5556 W. 77th St., Burbank, IL 60459 • www.stlaurence.com

Open House Sunday, December 4th 11AM - 1PM To schedule a shadow day or campus tour, please register online or contact Tim O'Connell ‘03 (toconnell@brrice.org) or Bobby Frasor ’05 (bfrasor@brrice.org).

SPORTS The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, December 2016 Thursday, March 5,1,2015

Vorva,Sports SportsEditor Editor••sports@regionalpublishing.com sports@regionalpublishing.com KenJeff Karrson,

Southwest • Section 2, Page 1 1 Southwest • Section 2, Page

Five of the best honored in their sport

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Emilyee McGiles, an SIU recruit, helped build Sandburg into a powerhouse the past four years.

Emilyee McGiles • Sandburg

By Jeff Vorva

“She’s been a part of four conference titles, four regional titles and four trips to state,” Eagles coach Todd Allen said. “It’s been fun for Before Emilyee McGiles walked through the her. She has been unbelievably solid her entire doors at Sandburg High School, the golf team career. It’s been a fantastic four-year run here.’’ didn’t have a lot of success and McGiles said she was happy never qualified for state. with helping build a tradition at After her final season was Girls Golfer the school. over in October, that changed.

“Everyone says it would go by of the Year The Eagles made it to state fast but I didn’t realize it would three times with the team and go this fast,” McGiles said of McGiles qualified four times, either with the her career. “Coach Allen had a three-year plan team or as an individual, and this year she fin- and we didn’t know we were going to make it ished an area-beast 35th in the Illinois High downstate my freshman year.’’

School Association State Tournament. She has She is heading to Southern Illinois next year. been named the Reporter-Regional’s second She said the Salukis showed interest after she Girls Golfer of the Year. Sandburg’s Hannah shot a 68 to win the Marian Catholic Sectional Kilbane won the honor as a freshman last year. last year at the Lincoln Oaks course in Crete.

At times, McGiles was overshadowed by stars “I made a visit and knew it was where I wantsuch as Frankie Saban and Kilbane, but she has ed to go,’’ she said. “They are moving up and always been a consistent force and this year she they want me to come in and play and I know broke out. some players on the team, so I’m excited.”

Sports Editor

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Sandburg sophomore Anna Loureiro won four tennis matches at state competition this season.

Anna Loureiro Sandburg

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Sandburg sophomore girls tennis player Anna Loureiro doubled her pleasure.

After breaking even at 2-2 in her 2015 debut in the Illinois High School Association State Tennis Tournament, she wanted more this year.

She got it.

Loureiro finished 4-2 in the Class 2A portion of the tournament (the first year the tourney was broken up into two classes) for Girls Tennis the area’s best Player of the Year finish. She has been named the Reporter/ Regional Girls Tennis Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

“I was happy with the improvement I made from last year,” she said. “I wanted to win at least two or three matches this year and that’s what I did. Next year, I’ll be back and have higher expectations for myself.’’

Her first round at state was challenging, as she topped Neuqua Valley’s Jessica Chen, 6-3, 7-5. With the tournament split into two classes, first-round opponents have gotten tougher.

Loureiro lost in the second round to Grant’s Gaby Schoenberg by the same score. She had a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over New Trier’s Ali Benedetto and won another war against Isabel Alviar of Mundelein, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

After beating Maine South’s Jennifer Ptak, 6-4, 6-4, she was tripped up by Kenwood’s Sloane Williams, 6-2, 3-6, 10-7.

Loureiro said a lot of offseason cross training and working with teachers Kathy Wacnik from Palos Heights’ Wimbledon club and Marcy Hendricks based out of Hinsdale helped her get better.

During the course of the season, she was able to play Lyons’ Lahari Yelamanchili, who won the 2A title, and she lost 6-4, 6-2. But she learned a few things.

“I need to stay in rallies longer and work on my footwork,’’ Loureiro said. “She’s a great overall player and I’m going to keep working hard to do what she’s doing.’’

Pete Vos • Chicago Christian

By Anthony Nasella Correspondent

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Chicago Christian’s Pete Vos has been named the Regional-Reporter’s Boys Golfer of the Year the first two years the paper started honoring golfers.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Giovanni Barragan (left) and Mohammad Farraj hug after a goal at Toyota Park in September. The Oak Lawn stars were named the Regional-Reporter CoBoys Soccer Players of the Year.

After finishing 10th individually at last year’s Illinois High School Association Class 1A State Tournament and helping his team to a fifth-place finish, Chicago Christian senior Pete Vos was eager to return to the finals and improve on the success of 2015.

Vos and the Knights advanced to the finals — this time in Class 2A — and scored better as they shaved 20 strokes off their 2015 tally for a ninth-place finish. Vos took six strokes of his finish for a six-way tie for 14th place with a 154. Vos has been Boys Golfer named the Reporter-Regional of the Year Boys Golfer of the Year for the second year in a row.

“It was a thrill to reach the finals again and golf as well as we all did,’’ said Vos, who will join his twin brother and golf teammate Dan next year at Trinity Christian College. “I don’t think my senior year could have gone any better.

“I just went out there and did what I do best — enjoy the game and give the blessings that God gives to me back my using my talents.’’

Despite a rough practice round the day before the start of the state final first round, Vos was able to find his groove at the Weibring Golf Club in Normal the next day, on Oct. 14.

“Something clicked in the first round,” he said of firing a 76.

“I felt really good and shot well.’’

Knights head coach Brian Deckinga had plenty of praise for his senior leader.

“Pete was helpful for me in my first year as coach,’’ Deckinga said. “He came prepared all the time and was very influential on his teammates. He had a great season, and it was great to not have to keep my eye on him.’’

Mohammad Farraj and Giovanni Barragan Oak Lawn

By Aaron FitzPatrick Correspondent

It isn’t often that a co-player of the year honor is given.

However, in 2016, giving the honor to two players may never have been more obvious. Oak Lawn’s, Mohammad Farraj Boys Soccer and Giovanni Barragan, were Co-Players equally specof the Year tacular on the field and vital to the success of the Spartan soccer team this year.

Their stats were nearly identical, as Farraj collected 30 goals and nine assists while Barragan was just as prolific with 25 goals and 14 assists.

They propelled Oak Lawn to its best season in school history with a 20-1-1 record, and they have been named the second Reporter/Regional Boys Soccer Co-Players of the Year. Sandburg’s Ryan Kozlowski earned it last season.

Barragan and Farraj had signature moments this season. Barragan’s came early when he was named MVP of the Windy City Classic. Farraj put his stamp on the season with a three-goal hat trick at Argo to help the Spartans lock up the South Suburban conference championship. In the Windy City Classic semifinals, the tandem combined for a pair of goals late in the contest to beat Bloom, 2-1.

“That sticks in my mind because it was two great teams, but the talent of two individuals was what broke the deadlock,” said Spartans head coach, Nate Joiner. “If teams would try to key on one, the other would explode for a huge match.

They were also so mobile and versatile. They could beat you a few different ways.”

Joiner called this dynamic duo a fierce 1-2 combination with great chemistry that not even a language barrier could hold back.

“Gio is a man of few words and Moe, for the first year and a half, was just learning English,” he said. “But they didn’t need words to communicate because they both spoke the universal language of soccer.”

NEXT WEEK: Players of the Year will be honored in boys and girls cross country and girls swimming.

Plenty of standout performers earn postseason awards SOCCER

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

The five Players of the Year featured above are the best of the best the area has to offer in golf, tennis and soccer.

But there are plenty of other top performers in those sports who deserve — and received — recognition. Here is a look at those standouts:

SOUTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE RED: Oak Lawn’s Mohammad Farraj was named the conference’s Red Division Player of the Year. He was named to the first team along with teammates Giovanni Barragen, Michael Szaflarski, Matt Barrera, Sodia Mohamad and Adam Baniewicz.

Also making the first team was Shepard’s Mike Kaczmarczyk, Aldo Rodriguez and David Lepak, Richards’ Milton Velastegui

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Making the SSC Red honorable mention list was Shepard’s Mark Farenga, Richards’ Abdullah Ahmad and Arthur Raines and Evergreen Park’s Aaron Rodriguez.

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Section 2 Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Regional News - The Reporter

FOCUS ON BOYS BASKETBALL

Seconds count for several area teams

By Phil Arvia and Jeff Vorva

Southwest Regional News When presented with the notion that Stagg’s basketball team is a particularly experienced group given it has three threeyear varsity starters, Tom Kazanecki demurred.

“Well, I only started the last game of my sophomore year,” the 6-foot-7 center said, “so I guess …”

But there was no guessing who the most valuable Charger was, at least as far as coach John Daniels was concerned, after Stagg went 3-1 last week to take second in the five-team 20th annual John McBride Thanksgiving Classic. Stagg was among several area teams to finish second in tournament play during the first week of the boys hoops season.

“Tommy, to me, was the MVP of the tournament,” Daniels said. “Now, Willowbrook won it, so (Warriors center Ethan Schuemer) deserved to get the award — but he killed everybody else. Tommy held him to four points and was our most consistent player all week.”

Kazanecki, an all-tournament pick along with fellow senior John Contant, had 10 points and

two rebounds in a 57-53 win Saturday over Nazareth Academy. The Chargers (3-1) bounced back from 53-49 Friday loss to Willowbrook that they led by four with less the three minutes to play.

For the tourney, Kazanecki averaged 12.5 points and six rebounds per game. Saturday, he scored eight of his points in the second half, while Contant (19 points) was saddled with foul trouble, and drew a key charge in the final 30 seconds.

“That was big,” Daniels said.

Especially after he implored his seniors — Jaswon Finley and Darek Liput to join threeyear starters Kazanecki, Contant and Josh Strama (15 points) in the first five — to step up in the wake of Friday’s loss.

“We made mistakes, we didn’t take care of the basketball, we had too many defensive breakdowns,” Daniels said. “We should have been successful in that situation because of our experience.”

Against Nazareth (1-3), the Chargers jumped to an early nine-point lead. But the Roadrunners pulled ahead at the half on a three-pointer by Thomas Sandt (14 points), one of eight treys they hit on the day.

Nazareth led by five on back-

to-back threes early in the third quarter from freshman Tagen Pearson — the one player with whom his father, first-year coach and Nazareth legend Sean Pearson, need not become better acquainted.

“I learned a lot about the guys this week,” Sean Pearson said.

“I learned what they need to work on.”

Pearson used 12 players. Ryan Felbinger (10 points) joined Sandt in double figures.

“To be able to go 12 deep in a tournament is a good thing,” he said. “We won’t always do that, but we’re going to play up-tempo, so we’ll use a lot of players.

“They’re still getting used to me. But they listen, and I love their effort.”

Kazanecki loved the Chargers’ effort after he and Contant each hit a pair of free throws to give them the lead for good early in the fourth quarter.

“This was definitely a hardfought, fun game,” he said. “We definitely could have played a lot harder (Friday). That shouldn’t happen. We have to step up more as leaders.’’

Spartan-Ram Classic

Sandburg (3-1) finished second in the eight-team tournament after dropping a 53-37 con-

Stagg’s Tom Kazanecki played topnotch defense and offense in the McBride Tournament, according to Chargers coach John Daniels.

test Friday at Reavis. Ed Mila and Jake Pygon were named to the All-Tournament team.

Oak Lawn finished fifth, but earlier in the tournament Rashad Johnson broke the school record with 52 points and hit 12 3-pointers in an 83-61 victory over the Islamic Foundation School.

Greg Lehmann set the previous scoring record with 43 points during the 1979-80 season and

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Josh Strama of Stagg drives against Willowbrook on Friday in a loss. The Chargers finished second in the 20th John McBride Tournament after beating Nazareth on Saturday.

Johnson broke his own 3-point record of eight, which he hit during the 2014-15 campaign.

Joliet West Tournament

Brother Rice finished runnerup in the eight-team tournament, dropping a 62-49 decision in Saturday’s championship to the hosts.

Mike Shepski and Josh Niego made the all-tournament team for the Crusaders.

Lisle Thanksgiving Tournament Evergreen Park placed second in the five-team tournament. After beating Lisle and Westmont, the Mustangs fell to Timothy Christian on Friday before recovering for a 65-41 win over Yorkville Christian on Saturday.

Mike Drynan, a 6-foot-10 senior, had 13 points in the Yorkville tilt.

FOCUS ON AREA SPORTS

FOCUS ON AREA COLLEGE SPORTS

Sandburg running legends meet at the finish line

TCC teams at NCCAA nationals

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Sandburg junior Dylan Jacobs won the Foot Locker Midwest race in Kenosha on Saturday, and greeting him at the finish line was former Sandburg running star Luka Verzbicas, who was holding up one side of the finish line tape.

“It was awesome to see him,” Jacobs told MileSplit USA after the race. “He is a legend at Sandburg and a legend all over the country.’’

Verzbicas was one of the top high school track and cross country stars in the nation, and he has his eyes on qualifying for the Olympics in the triathlon even though he suffered a horrific bike accident in 2012.

Jacobs is earning legendary status himself. He qualified for the Foot Locker Nationals, which will take place Dec. 10 in San Diego — one week after he runs in the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland on Saturday.

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Jacobs ran the Wayne E. Dannehl course at the University of Wisconsin Parkside in 14 minutes, 58.8 seconds to nudge out Grayslake Central’s Jack Aho (15:00.4) in the Midwest race.

The Eagles junior runner, who missed state and national competitions in 2015 because of a hamstring injury, finished third in Class 3A in November and second in the Nike Cross Midwest Regionals.

Three wrestling champs for the Eagles Sandburg’s wrestling team, traditionally a state and national power, lost some great talent in the lighter weights with the graduation of state champs Louie Hayes and Rudy Yates but Saturday the Eagles won the Chris Hruska Invitational at Conant High School thanks in part to championships from Tim Houston at 152 pounds, Patrick Brucki at 195 and Cole Batemen at 220.

The team had six wrestlers in

Supplied photo

Dylan Jacobs crosses the finish line at the Foot Locker Midwest meet while former Sandburg star Lukas Verzbicas (left) holds up the finish line tape.

the championship round and 11 placers.

Shimko shines Queen of Peace’s basketball team won the Beecher Tournament on Nov. 22 with a 57-32 win over the hosts in the title game.

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Kara Shimko was named the Outstanding Player in the tournament and had 20 points in the title game to go with five steals and four rebounds. Ashley Lynch added 17 points and 15 rebounds while Jovanna Martinucci had 10 steals and six assists.

Two pins shy Marist’s boys bowling team finished 15th in the 24-team Plainfield South Thanksgiving Tournament at Town and Country Lanes in Joliet on Friday and Jake Alberts finished sixth place with a high-game of 298 – two pins shy of a perfect game.

A dashing performance

Stagg girls soccer player Veronika Stafira beat out some of the top soccer players in the state with a 3.93-second showing in the 30-yards dash Friday at the PepsiCo Showdown Agility Challenge at the McCook Athletic facility.

She beat out Plainfield South’s Emily Sauder (4.06) and Lane Tech’s Magdalena Price (4.07).

Call it Nationals Week at Trinity Christian College.

The Palos Heights school has a team already out in Kissimee, Florida, and another ready to roll there starting today, Thursday.

The soccer team has been playing at the National Christian College Athletics Association championship in Kissimmee since Monday.

The Trolls (10-6-3), who earned an automatic berth to the tournament as the North Central Region representative, are the No. 3 seed in the field of nine teams. The championship is set for Saturday.

Trinity was in a pool with fourth-seeded Oklahoma Baptist (12-5-1) and seventh-seeded Cincinnati Christian University (10-9-1). Grace College and Campbellsville University picked up the top two seeds.

In volleyball, the Trolls (2714) earned their way to the tournament as the North Central Region champions and are the No. 4 seed in the field of eight teams. The national tournament appearance is the fifth in the last seven years for the Trolls.

Trinity is in Pool A with No. 1 Colorado Christian, No. 5 Warner University, and No. 8 Bluefield. The Trolls play Warner and Bluefield today, Thursday and Colorado Christian on Friday.

Moraine Valley

Women’s basketball: Judging by the Cyclones final 78-35 victory over Wright College on Nov. 22, it’s hard to believe that the team initially struggled notching this eighth straight victory.

An uncharacteristically rough start saw Moraine Valley miss easy baskets and go down 13-7 after the first quarter. After wholesale substitutions, the Cyclones crept back throughout the second quarter, outscoring the Rams 25-4 to go ahead 32-17. After halftime, the

Cyclones held Wright to single digits for the dominant victory.

For the third straight game, Michelle Borgen scored 30 points.

She also finished with 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. Ashley Carroll also had a double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds). Diamond Dortch chipped in nine points.

Men’s basketball: An early lead propelled the Cyclones to a 95-72 victory over Truman College on Nov. 21. Tommy Demogerontas (Sandburg) led the charge with 21 points and seven rebounds. Jason Roland (Oak Forest) added 18 points. Joe Ruzevich (Brother Rice) put up a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

St. Xavier University

Women’s basketball: Junior center Brittany Collins (Des Plaines/ Maine West) finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the No. 6-ranked Cougars (7-0) to an 81-71 win over Taylor University Saturday afternoon at Odle Arena in Upland, Ind. Freshman guard/forward Chanel Fanter (Crystal Lake/Crystal Lake South) had 17 points, a teambest nine rebounds and six assists.

Junior guard Casey McMahon (Orland Park/Stagg) and freshman guard Maddie Welter (Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove) each scored 12 points to aid the victory, while junior guard Kara Krolicki (Mokena/Lincoln-Way East) added 10 points. Senior forward Sarah Vozel (Silver Lake, Wis./Ashford University/Wilmot Union) surpassed a career milestone going over 1,000 points for her collegiate career with 683 coming at Ashford University (Iowa) and the last 320 at SXU. Men’s basketball: Falling behind 15-4 in the first four minutes of play, the No. 22-ranked Cougars never recovered and fell 9362 to Holy Cross College (Ind.) in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action Sunday. The Cougars (3-6 overall/2-2 CCAC) were led in both scoring and rebounding by senior guard Dominique Jeter (Chicago/South Suburban CC/Julian) with 14 points and six boards.

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SPORTS

OL baseball and softball teams accepting registration Oak Lawn Baseball & Softball registration is currently available online and accepting payment for the 2017 spring season. Visit oaklawnbaseball. com for more details.

Registration is open for girls and boys ages 4-18.

This is a way to take advantage of early-bird prices and signup. PBO offers an in-house program with the opportunity to play additional parttime travel baseball.

Visit the PBO website for more details.

PBO registration open

— We welcome community news at sports@regionalpublising.com

Registration for the 2017 Palos baseball season is open.

Awards

Continued from Page 1 Matt Angelotti, Jeremy Atkinson, James Flynn, Rafal Kobylarczyk, Tom Kulak and Michael Zajac made the squad along with Sandburg’s Marty Manke, Derek McCurdy and Dan Rohder.

CHICAGO CATHOLIC LEAGUE: Brother Rice’s Raul Andrade and Eddie Valez made the squad along with St. Laurence’s Dylan Terrell, Gilberto Arreola, Danny Arreola, Danny Garcia and Emilio Guzman.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE: In the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Marist’s Christian Cunningham, Nick Olivieri and David Regan made the squad.

METRO SUBURBAN: Chicago Christian’s Matt Stuursma, Corey Kamp and Teddy Kruzich made the team and Stuursma, a sophomore midfielder, was named to the IHSA all-sectional team.

BOYS GOLF

Chicago Christian qualified for state as a team in Class 2A with Pete Vos, Dan Vos, Nate Kamp and Mark Schaaf scoring for the Knights.

Individual state qualifiers were Sandburg’s Max Farley and Brother Rice’s Liam Sweeney in Class 3A.

GIRLS GOLF

Individual state qualifiers were Sandburg’s Emilyee McGiles and Hannah Kilbane in Class 2A.

GIRLS TENNIS

State qualifiers in singles were Chicago Christian’s Ashley Akrami, Sandburg’s Anna Louieiro and Julia Canellis and Marist’s Nicole Micklin.

Doubles state qualifiers were Chicago Christian’s Brooke Akrami-Raquel Robertson, Sandburg’s Stephanie Garoufalis-Agnes Florczyk and Jasmine Abuniam-Sophie Sjo, Marist’s Kaitlyn Bowe-Cairlyn Foggie and Shepard’s Rachel Habbal-Brooke Zielke.

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, December 1, 2016 Section 2

3

WEEKLY FOOTBALL FORECAST The 2016 high school football season is in the books and the Football Forecast is in the comic books with Vorva winning the postseason MVP and Maholy winning the regular-season kingship. Overall, the boys finished with a 67.4 winning percentage, which is a big fat D. The dunces also hit 67 percent last year.

Sheesh, the salad days were in 2013 and 2014 when they were 75.3 and 74.1 percent, respectively. Thanks to all who played and all who read us. We will see you next fall. Have a great winter, spring and summer….

Last week: Postseason: Regular season: Not-so-grand total:

MVP Jeff Vorva 6-2 33-15 71-20 104-35

Joe Boyle 3-5 27-21 70-21 97-42

Anthony Nasella 4-4 20-28 56-35 76-63

Jason Maholy 5-3 31-17 75-16 106-33

Wally Findysz 5-3 27-21 67-24 94-45

Bob Rakow 4-4 22-26 63-28 85-54

Simeon and Morgan Park rivalry likely heading to Moraine Valley

F

ood for thought for those who aren’t very hungry: In January, the Simeon/Morgan Park boys basketball game that that was supposed to be played in the tiny Morgan Park gym but moved down the street to Brooks was postponed because Morgan Park parents protested the move and threatened to keep their kids from playing in the game.

The story was so big that the TV JEFF VORVA news stations made it lead stories.

Making the Even Fox’s Dane Placko reported the flack-o. The game was Extra Point on finally played a few weeks later in the Morgan Park gym.

In 2013, the two teams played a game at Chicago State University and a melee broke out after the game and outside the gym. A 17-year-old Morgan Park student was shot and killed months after there was a stabbing in the stands at Gately Stadium at a Morgan Park-Simeon football game.

And even when there isn’t controversy, it’s big news when these two traditional powerhouses play each other as future Division I players battle back and forth.

On Dec. 23, the two teams are playing each other again, and this time it looks like it will be in Palos Hills. Moraine Valley could be the site for the big game.

Moraine Athletic Director Bill Finn said Monday that Morgan Park had not signed a contract yet but “we fully expect the game to be played here.’’ A time has not been determined. Two years ago, St. Rita and Simeon played at Moraine in an ESPN game at Moraine, but Finn said this battle will not be shown on ESPN. As long as tempers stay cool and there is no gunplay involved, this should be a pretty cool event. While some may complain about the Moraine’s distance from the two schools, it just might be the perfect venue to keep everyone calm.

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Who’s next?

Above: Justin Brown of Marist drives against Richards Friday in the RedHawks’ championship win over the Bulldogs. Right: Julia Ruzevich, here canning a second-quarter 3-pointer, hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the first quarter to give Marist the momentum in a win over Plainfield East.

BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS WIN TOURNAMENTS

Great first impressions for Marist

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

There could be a hard road to get to the state tournament for Marist’s boys and girls basketball team in February and March.

But for now, it’s all about the hardware.

Both teams claimed Thanksgiving tournament titles on Friday. The boys won the eightteam District 218 Tipoff Classic at Eisenhower with a 66-47 victory over Richards in the late afternoon. About 90 minutes later, the girls won a 6860 war over Plainfield East to claim its own six-team tournament hosted at the Mt. Greenwood school.

It’s the fourth time in five years the boys won the D218 tourney. Girls coach Mary Pat Connolly said she thought it was the eighth time the RedHawks hosted their own tournament and the eighth time they won it.

In a few weeks, the Illinois High School Association is expected to announce its postseason assignments. In recent years, the Marist boys team has been thrown in 4A sectionals with Chicago powerhouses such as Simeon, Curie and Bogan.

The girls, on the other hand, have been thrown in the sectionals with powerhouse Homewood-Flossmoor, which is stacked again.

But for now, the two Marist squads have a little time to enjoy their early-season success.

The girls season is in its third week and the boys in its second this week, and they joined the Queen of Peace girls team as the only three undefeated squads from the area.

The boys mowed through their four opponents by an average of 28 points per game.

In the title game against Richards, junior guard Morgan Taylor, who is also the quarterback on the football team, broke out with a 24-point performance. Maurice Commander had 12 points and Justin Brown added 11, including a couple of dunks early in the game to get the RedHawks going.

Claire Austin added 17

third place in the District 218

team, along with Ruzevich and Shepard’s Cassidy McCarthy.

Before the eight-point win, the RedHawks beat their first four opponents by an average of 35 points per game.

Joe Newhall connected on a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds left to lead the Astros.

Earlier in the tournament, the Astros (3-1) picked up a 58-56 win over Eisenhower when Tamer Ashkar laid in the game-winning basket at the buzzer.

Two weeks ago, Fenwick was wronged by officials in an Illinois High School Association football game.

Saturday, Michigan players, fans and coaches say they were wronged by officials in a big Big Ten game against Ohio State.

Who is next this weekend? An NFL team? Could it happen to the Bears and have them cheated of a third victory?

Naah…they are too busy being wronged by their own receivers.

Have a cigar

On the same weekend that Fidel Castro died, in Illinois high school basketball, Havana beat Cuba-Spoon River 47-14 in a tournament game.

PERFECT START FOR points for Marist. Austin was tournament with a 64-63 vicMARIST HOOPS TEAMS named to the all-tournament tory over Chicago Christian.

RedHawk girls at Marist Tournament Beat Beat Beat Beat Beat

Willowbrook, 65-30 Rich Central, 70-43 Crete-Monee, 51-17 Shepard, 65-18 Plainfield East, 68-60 (title)

RedHawk boys at District 218 Tournament Beat Beat Beat Beat

Thrillers for Shepard Shepard’s boys team took

It looks like Simeon, and its army of coaches, will be at Moraine Valley on Dec. 23 when the Wolverines play bitter rival Morgan Park.

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Eisenhower, 55-23 Shepard, 66-43 Southland Prep, 80-42 Richards, 66-47 (title)

“We knew Richards was a good team and they came looking for a win,” Commander said. “But everyone on our team played their game.’’

Taylor said he is not sure if his future will be in football or basketball, but he is enjoying the early portion of the season so far.

“You don’t have 250-pound linemen coming at you,” he said.

But the RedHawks did have pretty strong opponents coming after them in the form of Richards forward Jaylin Catledge, who is usually good for dropping 20 points on opponents. Hounded and doubleteamed, Catledge finished with 13 points for the Bulldogs (3-1).

“He’s difficult to defend but we did a good job,” Marist coach Gene Nolan said. “He can change a game.’’

The girls team trailed most of the first quarter against Plainfield East, but Julia Ruzevich (22 points) popped in a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to knot the game at 20-20 and the RedHawks (5-0) grabbed the lead in the second quarter and never trailed.

Marist had several double-digit leads but Plainfield mounted several comeback attempts.

“This was the first year for them in this tournament and we were glad to have them,” Connelly said. “They have five seniors and they pushed us. They matched up with us well.’’

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Section 2 Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Regional News - The Reporter

Images from a week of Thanksgiving hoops tourneys

Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes is either trying to get his troops to pay attention or he’s calling out for a Three Stooges play during a timeout against Wheaton North on Nov. 23.

Chicago Christian’s Jack Ellison boxes out in an early-round game at the District 218 tournament on Nov. 23.

Oak Lawn’s Rashad Johnson, shown playing against Wheaton North in the Spartan-Ram Classic on Nov. 23, scored a school-record 52 points the night before in a win over the Islamic Foundation School.

Richards’ Jeremiah Melton is yelling for his teammates to get open and behind him, Marist coach Gene Nolan is yelling at his players to get back on defense on Friday.

Caaliyah Catledge came all the way from Racine, Wisconsin to cheer on her cousin, Richards forward Jaylin Catledge, in the finals of the District 218 Tournament on Friday.

Photos by Jeff Vorva

Referees got between Marist and Plainfield East players, who were getting hot under the collar on Friday.

Fire makes roster moves with eye on ‘maximum flexibility’

By Jeff Vorva Sports Editor

Photo by Jeff Vorva

Luis Solignac is one of nine Chicago Fire players who did not have their contracts picked up by the team.

The Chicago Fire exercised contract options on nine players, but just as interesting is the nine players they did not pick up the options on.

Barring offseason trades, it appears that Arturo Alvarez, Jonathan Campbell, Sean Johnson Matt Lampson, Matt Polster, Brandon Vincent, Joey Calistri, Drew Conner and Patrick Doody will be back, along with players who are al-

ready under contract — David Accam, David Arshakyan, Michael de Leeuw, Collin Fernandez, John Goossens, Michael Harrington, Johan Kappelhof and Joao Meira.

Those who haven’t had their options picked up were Razvan Cocis, Eric Gehrig, Nick LaBrocca, Patrick McLain, Alex Morrell, Rodrigo Ramos, Michael Stephens, Luis Solignac and Khaly Thiam.

LaBrocca is eligible for free agency, while Gehrig and Stephens are eligible to participate in Major League Soccer’s

re-entry process.

“We have made decisions that we believe give us maximum flexibility as we execute our plan for the next phase of our roster construction,” said Fire General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. “The men whose contracts we did not exercise have given their all to the club and our city. We sincerely hope that they are successful in their respective next opportunity and we are thankful for the commitment they demonstrated on behalf of Chicago Fire SC.”

The biggest move during the offseason could come in January as the team is reportedly interested in German star and Manchester United player Bastian Schweinsteiger. Some reports estimate that the Fire is willing to pony up $16.5 million over three years for him. Some experts say he would be the best player on the Fire but would not be a big-draw name.

There also is the possibility that the 32-year-old is mulling retirement, and he is not seeing action with Manchester United this season.

5

Section 2 Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Regional News - The Reporter

For Sale

For Sale

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC Plaintiff, -v.WILLIAM MEYERS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DOROTHY E. MEYERS, KATHRYN JENIG, LAURA ABED, ROBERT MEYERS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF PETER MEYERS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR DOROTHY E. MEYERS (DECEASED) Defendants 16 CH 002938 11317 S. WESTWOOD DRIVE PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 12, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:Commonly known as 11317 S. WESTWOOD DRIVE, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-24-108-020-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-1601937. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-01937 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 002938 TJSC#: 36-11371 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I708209

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES, INC. MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES Plaintiff, -v.MANAL KANAAN, MALIK KANAAN, LORENZ APPLIANCE, INC., STATE OF ILLINOIS, PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, L.L.C., DISCOVER BANK, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 15 CH 002926 8841 W. 100TH PLACE PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 17, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 13, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8841 W. 100TH PLACE, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-10-401-079-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-15-02450.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-15-02450 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 002926 TJSC#: 36-13043 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I707650

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR HOLDERS OF BANC OF AMERICA FUNDING CORPORATION MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-7 Plaintiff, -v.JAMAL RASIM JABER A/K/A JAMAL R. JABER, RANA MOHMED JABER, SILO RIDGE ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, SILO RIDGE MASTER HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, ALLEGIANCE COMMUNITY BANK Defendants 09 CH 007527 25 PRAIRIE LANE ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 25, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 13, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 25 PRAIRIE LANE, ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 Property Index No. 27-07-304-036. The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-09-03147.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-09-03147 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 09 CH 007527 TJSC#: 36-13017 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I707652

For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division.

Ditech Financial LLC Plaintiff, vs.

Barbara Clark aka Barbara B. Clark; Michael Clark aka Michael A. Clark; Tatra Condominium Association; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants, Case # 14CH18406 Sheriff’s # 160291 F14100321SVTSPT GTS Pursuant to a Judgment made and entered by said Court in the above entitled cause, Thomas J. Dart, Sheriff of Cook County, Illinois, will on January 13th, 2017, at 1pm in room LL06 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction the following described premises and real estate mentioned in said Judgment: PERMANENT REAL ESTATE INDEX NO.: 24-18200-032-1046 Common Address: 10620 Brooks Lane, Unit C6, Chicago Ridge, Illinois 60415 P.I.N: 24-18-200-032-1046; Improvements: This property consists of a Residential Condominium.

Sale shall be under the following terms: payment of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the successful and highest bid to be paid to the Sheriff by cashier’s check or certified funds at the sale; and the full remaining balance to be paid to the Sheriff by cashier’s check or certified funds within twenty-four (24) hours after the sale.

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale may be entitled at most only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the mortgagee’s attorney, or the court appointed selling officer.

Sale shall be subject to general taxes, special assessments.

Premise will NOT be open for inspection.

Firm Information: Plaintiff’s Attorney ANSELMO, LINDBERG OLIVER LLC Anthony Porto

1771 W. DIEHL., Suite 120

Naperville, IL 60566-7228 foreclosurenotice@fal-illinois.com

866-402-8661 fax 630-428-4620

For bidding instructions, visit www. fal-illinois.com

This is an attempt to collect a debt pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

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34

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For Sale

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC Plaintiff, -v.RAFAET KHALIL, SABAH KHALIL, THOMAS CHARLES ESTATES TOWNHOUSE ASSOCIATION Defendants 15 CH 017483 8653 THOMAS CHARLES LANE HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 9, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 28, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8653 THOMAS CHARLES LANE, HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457 Property Index No. 18-35-307-040-0000. The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-15-18636.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-15-18636 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 017483 TJSC#: 36-13447 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I708559

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC. Plaintiff, -v.DANIEL A. CLAUS A/K/A DANIEL CLAUS, RHONDA J. CLAUS, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. S/I/I TO LASALLE BANK N.A. Defendants 16 CH 003349 13030 S. 70TH COURT PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 7, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 9, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 13030 S. 70TH COURT, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 Property Index No. 24-31-105-014. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-1608423. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-08423 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 003349 TJSC#: 36-12299 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I708384

ÂŽ

“10 in the Park�

NEW as of 7/7/11 For Sale

5 ACRES RT. 45 IN PEOTONE 600 ft. frontage x 400 ft. deep 40 ft. x 60 ft. pole barn CALL 815-450-0004 For Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION GREEN TREE SERVICING LLC Plaintiff, -v.SIE KHALIL Defendants 12 CH 39434 10619 SOUTH TOD DRIVE PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 10, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 22, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive - 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 10619 SOUTH TOD DRIVE, PALOS HILLS, IL 60465 Property Index No. 23-13-113-006-0000. The real estate is improved with a red brick split level single family home; two car attached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in \�AS IS\� condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information: Visit our website at service.atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5 pm. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300, CHICAGO, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 476-5500. Please refer to file number 12339. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

PIERCE & ASSOCIATES One North Dearborn Street Suite 1300 CHICAGO, IL 60602 (312) 476-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@pierceservices.com Attorney File No. 12339 Attorney Code. 91220 Case Number: 12 CH 39434 TJSC#: 36-12989 I707762

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All Real Estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination.� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD tollfree at 1 (800) 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is: 1 (800) 927-9275.

The Regional News - The Reporter

Thursday, December 1, 2016 Section 2

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Asphalt Paving

South Suburban law firm seeking full time

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE WANTED

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Southwest Regional Publishing and Southwest Community News Group is seeking an Advertising Sales Representative.

The Sales Representative will prospect and cold call in addition to maintaining established accounts.

Complete Residential & Commercial Service

LITIGATION SECRETARY

with outstanding proofreading and organizational skills to do work for multiple attorneys.

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THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL: • Have 2-5 years proven outside sales experience and customer retention • Be highly self-motivated, competitive and organized • Have the ability to hit the ground running • Have proven ability to close sales on a one to two call cycle WE ALSO LOOK FOR CANDIDATES TO DISPLAY: • Drive and Energy • The ability to succeed in a fast paced, deadline oriented environment • The ability to multi-task • An outgoing personality

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WE OFFER: • Competitive salary plus commission • High earnings potential

Experienced pressman needed to operate a Goss Community press part time. 20-30 hours per week. Day shift.

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Hot water tanks • Bathroom installations Toilets, Tubs, Sinks & Faucets Sewers rodded • Sump pumps Sewers inspected by camera Foundation leaks repaired Battery back-up systems

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No big smiles or other joyful expressions by 6 months.

No babbling by 12 months.

No words by 16 months.

To learn more of the signs of autism, visit autismspeaks.org

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Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Southwest • Section 2, Page 7

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS VIDEOVIEW BY JAY BOBBIN Southwest Community Concert Band Christmas Concert and food drive

The Southwest Community Concert Band will present “Home for Christmas” holiday concert and food drive on Sunday, Dec. 18, starting at 5 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 15050 S.Wolf Road, in Orland Park.

Admission is free. This concert is a food drive; people are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the concert.All food and monetary donations will go to the Orland Township Food pantry.

For more information, email info@swcommunityconcertband.com

The Bridge Teen Center programs

• Decorate The Bridge Christmas Tree - 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 2, The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Court, Orland Park. Help The Bridge decorate a Christmas tree. During the night there will be a live performance by blues/ rock band Fixed Emotion and free food provided

by Legendary Baking.

• Make Your Music Go Viral - 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, Learn how to successfully share musical projects

with friends, family, and the world.

• Around the World: Christmas Traditions - 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Experience the food, music, decorations, and joy celebrated by different cultures from around the world during the holiday season.

• Apps to Save Your Sanity - 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, Explore different apps that can provide the help and support that make school easier, keep track of your health, and learn skills that will be useful in college.

• DIY Bath Bombs - 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Make bath bombs using natural household ingredients.

• Discover Your Learning Style w/ C2 - 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Learn about the chunking method, mnemonic devices, visual tools, color coding, and other strategies to help you learn and remember information.

• Coil Clay Pots - 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Make an air-dry clay pot with 3D designs and paint it with your favorite colors • Test Anxiety w/ Intellect Learning Center - 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Learn the secrets behind preparing for test days by discovering different testing strategies.

These free events are for teens in 7th through 12th grade. For more information call (708) 532-0500.

Christmas Teas will be served in The Log Cabin Arts Center Christmas teas will be held Dec. 10, 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18 at The Log Cabin Center for the Arts, 12700 Southwest Hwy, Palos Park.

All teas run from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Log Cabin hostesses invite you to enjoy a cup of Christmas tea and a plate of Christmas cookies, cakes, and sandwiches.

A heartwarming story will be shared by the fire. Also, each guest will have an opportunity to make Christmas potpourri so that they can take home a bit of the Log Cabin’s warm and cozy holiday ambience.

Advance tickets are required and cost $32. Call 361-3650.

Supplied photo

The log cabins of The Center in Palos Park provide a cozy setting for a series of Christmas teas.

WOLFGANG PUCK’S KITCHEN

NOTICE: Ratings for each film begin with a ‘star’ rating — one star meaning ‘poor,’ four meaning ‘excellent’ — followed by the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and then by a family-viewing guide, the key for which appears below.

STARTING THIS WEEK:

“THE BFG”: The king of them for some time, Steven Spielberg had been away from fantasy stories for a while when he tackled Roald Dahl’s story — adapted by the late Melissa Mathison, also Spielberg’s “E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial” writer — about an orphan (Ruby Barnhill) who’s taken to Giant Country by a really tall fellow who’s friendlier than most others of his kind. He’s played in a motion-capture performance

by Mark Rylance, who won an Oscar for Spielberg’s preceding film, “Bridge of Spies.” The child attracts the attention of the more sinister giants, leading her and her sizable new pal to seek help from no one less than Queen Elizabeth (Penelope Wilton). Jemaine Clement and Bill Hader also lend the talents needed to generate some of the other characters in the tale, which isn’t as magical as other Spielberg projects but still unique. *** (PG: AS, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “PETE’S DRAGON”: Not unlike the recent Disney remake of “The Jungle Book,” this ultimately affecting update of another of the studio’s classics foregoes the traditional animation of the original version to use very good computer graphics in bringing the title creature to “life.” Oakes Fegley plays young orphan Pete, who tells a concerned ranger (Bryce Dallas Howard) that he survived his years in a forest with the help of a dragon ... and she doesn’t count out his story, since her father (Robert Redford, who might not be expected in a movie of this nature) maintained he made the same friend long ago. The man becomes determined to disprove skeptics by offering proof by finding the dragon. Karl Urban (“Star Trek”) and Wes Bentley also star. *** (PG: P) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand)

“DON’T BREATHE”: Some neat twists are built into this thriller, which gets a major assist from a typically fine performance by Stephen Lang (“Avatar”), playing the supposedly helpless target of three young thieves (Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto).

A blind war veteran, he seems to suit their purposes for a home invasion ... but he turns out not to be as much at their mercy as they expected, and the situation soon turns the other way around bigtime. Director Fede Alvarez also worked with Levy on the update of “Evil Dead.” DVD extras: five “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by Lang, Alvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues; deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, P, GV) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) “ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE”: With the international popularity of Jennifer Saunders (also the writer here) and Joanna Lumley as highliving British chums Edina and Patsy, it was inevitable that they would bring back the televisionbased characters in some form.

This feature-film version turned out to be that vessel, with their new misadventures largely prompted by a fashion party at which they’re suspected of interfering with the safety of Kate Moss (appearing as herself). The resulting media mayhem sends them fleeing to the French Riviera. Jon Hamm, Joan Collins, singer-actress Lulu (“To Sir, With Love”), “Dancing With the Stars” judge Bruno Tonioli and talk-show host Graham Norton also appear. DVD extras: nine “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes; outtakes; photo gallery. *** (R: AS, P) “HOUSE OF LIES: THE FINAL SEASON”: The Showtime comedy series about an ever-driven management-consultancy firm came to its end earlier this year with this set of episodes, which starts with Jeannie (Kristen Bell, who went right into another show with NBC’s “The Good Place”) taking a new job elsewhere while trying to co-parent with Marty (Don Cheadle). Before long, though, she returns to her former professional base — and deals with clients involved with such matters

as marijuana, music and murder.

The last episode, which would turn out to be the entire show’s finale, was filmed on location in Cuba.

Co-stars Ben Schwartz and Josh Lawson also wrap up their roles.

Guest stars include Wanda Sykes, Steven Weber and Michael Cudlitz (“The Walking Dead”). *** (Not rated: AS, N, V) “BAKED IN BROOKLYN”: It’s interesting that this seriocomic comes to home video the same week as the last season of “House of Lies,” since some of the themes are the same. After a young New Yorker’s (Josh Brener) work for a consulting company is terminated, he turns to selling marijuana and turns a handy profit ... but also puts his friendships and even his life at risk. Alexandra Daddario (“San Andreas”) plays his girlfriend, who has major doubts about his new career. Lindsey Broad (“The Office”) and veteran actress Tovah Feldshuh also are featured. *** (Not rated: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

the benefit of the doubt in the week to come. Wise decisions will keep you at the head of the pack where career and business are concerned. Put important plans into motion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be proud to go along with the crowd. You may be popular with the “in” crowd this week and time spent around the water cooler can be fun. You may need extra preparation before launching something new.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Focus on ways to fuel family solidarity and fairness. A few thoughtful words can do a world of good. Act as a sounding board

for someone who has a personal problem in the week ahead and receive intangible rewards.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put some energy behind your actions this week. Heart to heart talks give you a chance to make amends or accept apologies. Outdoor activities, sports, or exercise could lead to better understanding or romantic interludes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Focus on having faith in the future. Review your dreams in the week to come. You may benefit from subconscious guidance from within. One of your close friends may be acting on your behalf without your knowledge.

COMING SOON:

“JASON BOURNE” (Dec. 6): Matt Damon returns as the former CIA operative, enlisted to help expose questionable agency initiatives. (PG-13: AS, P, V) “THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS” (Dec. 6): Two dogs (voices of Louis C.K. and Eric Stonestreet) run away and find a society of abandoned pets in New York City in this animated hit. (PG: AS) “BEN-HUR” (Dec. 13): Jack Huston has the title role in this remake of the classic saga of a prince who returns from slavery to reclaim his birthright. (PG-13: V) “BRIDGET JONES’S BABY” (Dec. 13): Indeed, the Englishwoman (Renee Zellweger) is expecting a child, but she’s not completely sure who the father is.

(R: AS, N, P) “FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS” (Dec. 13): Meryl Streep plays a socialite who aspires to a singing career ... though she can’t sing; Hugh Grant also stars as her hugely supportive husband. (PG13: AS, P) FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.

Introducing two of my favorite utility players for your holiday table OMARR’S WEEKLY ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

By Wolfgang Puck Baseball ended just a few weeks ago, and I can’t stop thinking about how the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years.

So why am I thinking about baseball as we approach the holiday season, with Thanksgiving almost here? The answer may be found in a term I love from America’s pastime: utility player.

This refers to a team member who is good at all the positions, someone you can count on in a pinch to do just what needs to be done to help win.

I think of certain recipes as utility players, too. Usually side dishes, they’re easy to make, versatile and capable of elevating any meal to success. Today, I’d like to share two of my favorites, ready to help you throughout the holidays.

The first is mashed potatoes, without which many people consider a holiday table incomplete.

Yet, you’d be surprised by how many people forget about them, at least almost until the last minute.

Fortunately, mashed potatoes are easy to make.

I like to use rich-tasting potatoes typified by the now widespread Yukon Gold, and I take care to cook them just until they’re tender enough to be pierced easily; cooked any longer, they’ll turn watery. I also briefly dry out the potatoes, which helps yield fluffier results. For the same reason, I like to puree them by pressing them through a ricer, which easily reduces the potatoes to uniform, rice-like particles into which you can smoothly incorporate butter, warm milk or cream, and seasonings.

Speaking of seasonings, mashed potatoes provide a great blank canvas for creating whatever flavor profile you like. Here, I incorporate grated horseradish and some pesto sauce (buy it store-bought or use your own favorite recipe) for a fragrant, festive-looking puree; but you could also incorporate grated cheese, chopped herbs, bits of crispy bacon or anything else that sounds good or goes well with

the other dishes on your table.

Another holiday side I like to make is often some sort of cranberry relish. Yet, again, that dish often happens as an afterthought, with many people simply relying on something from a can. This year, though, why not consider making your own cranberry dish?

As you’ll see from my simple recipe, it takes well under half an hour to produce something truly delicious. And, just like the mashed potatoes, you can easily modify it with other sweet spices, orange or lemon zest, or even a handful of other fruit like chopped apple or dried cherries.

You can keep using these utility players all through the coming months. I hope they’ll help you win the game of holiday entertaining!

HORSERADISH AND PESTO MASHED POTATOES Serves 6 to 8 • 3 pounds (1.5 g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into halves or quarters • Kosher salt • 6 large cloves garlic, peeled • 1 cup (250 mL) heavy cream • Freshly grated nutmeg • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks, at room temperature • 2 tablespoons freshly grated horseradish or bottled prepared horseradish • 2 tablespoons prepared pesto sauce, plus a little oil floating on top of the pesto • Freshly ground black pepper • Fresh basil sprigs, for garnish Put the potatoes in a large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover and season with salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Add the garlic. Partially cover the pan. Cook until the potatoes are just tender enough to offer no resistance when pierced with a wooden skewer or a sharp knife tip, about 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and garlic

in a colander. Return to the same pan. Place over medium-low heat, partially cover, and leave until any excess water evaporates and the potatoes are dry, shaking the pan or stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes.

Bring the cream to a simmer in a heavy small saucepan. Meanwhile, working in batches, rice the potatoes and garlic back into the same pan you cooked them in. (Or use a hand-held masher, mashing the potatoes and garlic in the pan.)

Add just a hint of nutmeg to the potatoes. Place the pan over low heat. A little at a time, stir in the hot cream and the butter.

Stir in horseradish and pesto to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer the potatoes to a heated serving bowl and make ridges in the surface with a moistened serving spoon. Spoon up some of the bright-green oil floating on top of the pesto and drizzle over the potatoes. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.

QUICK CRANBERRY RELISH Serves 4 to 6 • 3/4 pound (750 g) fresh whole cranberries or frozen unsweetened cranberries • 1/2 cup (125 mL) light brown sugar • Kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the cranberries and sugar.

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar softens, about 3 minutes.

Cover and continue cooking until the cranberries pop and turn tender, about 10 minutes, seasoning to taste with salt.

Stir in cinnamon and some cardamom to taste, cover, and cook until thick, stirring occasionally.

Serve immediately or set aside to cool to room temperature, then cover and chill before serving.

By Jeraldine Saunders ARIES (March 21-April 19): Flexibility can be your most useful talent. New traditions have to start someplace and you are just the person to lead the way by being innovative and creative. Make a well thought out break with the past in the week ahead.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put on your thinking cap. Connect the dots and you can get a clear idea of the real picture. Tasks that require uninterrupted concentration will be easy to accomplish in the week to come and help you prove your business acumen.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The best meals are the ones that simmer on the back burner until they are fully cooked. You may have an important decision to make in the week ahead. Wait a few days to be absolutely sure you are on the right track.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): If your heart is in the right place you can win the race. Some people won’t appreciate your humble nature. In the week to come Diplomatic skills can help you make headway when the boss or a friend is critical.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You can be the wise advisor when others need feedback. A formal atmosphere won’t keep your flair for the dramatic from shining through as this week unfolds.

Improve relationships by talking over plans for the future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be happy and contented as this week unfolds. Others may suffer from a lack of ambition but you can continue progressing along a worthwhile path toward higher education, secure finances, and solid accomplishment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Mend fences with solid wire, not flimsy packaging tape. Misunderstandings can be cleared up this week with a phone call or chat.

Business contacts will be happy to put in a good word for you or could offer a promising lead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Be generous about giving people

Your Guide to Arts and Events in the Southwest Suburbs and Beyond

OUT & ABOUT

The Regional News • The Reporter

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Southwest • Section 2, Page 8

Call (708) 448-4000!

Beverly Environmental, LLC Landscape Architects & Contractors

Supplied photo

Recycled art class

Participants will make handcrafted paper ornaments from recycled material at the Log Cabin Center for the Arts, 12700 Southwest Hwy, Palos Park.

Recycled Art: Paper Ornaments will be held Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. Instructor Paula Scott will help students create a variety of beautiful handcrafted ornaments to adorn the tree or give as gifts. The focus will be on Old World designs with modern flair. The workshop fee is $16 plus a $5 materials fee. Call 361-3650.

• Snow & Ice Removal • Custom Hardscapes • Property Master Planning/ Phasing • Ponds & Water Features • Retaining Walls & Natural Stone • Landscapes Design • Garden Design & Lawn Maintenance • Free Estimates

Paint gourds at Log Cabin Students will create natural painted sculptures from gourds on Monday Dec. 5, from 6 to 7 p.m., at The Log Cabin Center for the Arts, 12700 Southwest Hwy, Palos Park. Art Director Heather Young will help students of all ages choose from The Center’s selection of large dried gourds and learn to paint them as snowmen or Santa Claus, using acrylic paints. Each attendee will end up creating a natural whimsical sculpture that will last for many years.

The workshop fee is $13 per person. Call 361-3650.

Beverly Environmental, LLC

(708) 331-4911

www.beverlyenvironmental.com

“BELIEVE THE BUZZ!”

PHOTO OF LUKE TREADAWAY BY HUGO GLENDINNING

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DECEMBER 6–24

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