KCC-12-17-2015

THURSDAY

D e c e m b e r 17, 2 0 1 5 • 7 5 ¢

CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

K ANE COUNTY

CHRONICLE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

INSIDE TODAY

SERVING THE TRI-CITIES AND KANELAND SINCE 1881

KCChronicle.com

PLAN-IT

SPORTS

WHERE IT’S AT

On the ice

Advice...........................27, 29 Classified......................31-35 Comics .........................28-29 Cover story........................16 Horoscopes.......................27 Local News .................... 2-13 Obituaries ............................9 Opinions .............................14 Out & About ........................3 Puzzles ...............................30 Sports............................21-25 Weather................................5

Chicago Steel hits holiday hiatus; ready for 10-game trip / 22 LOCAL NEWS

Good eats Tavern in the Hills in Campton Hills gives good first impression / 20

Sugar Grove crash Accident leaves 20-year-old Aurora man in critical condition. Police withholding his name until his family returns to the U.S. / 10

adno=0359373

Production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ hits Geneva’s Playhouse 38 / 16

Facebook.com/kanecountychronicle

HIGH

LOW

34 22 FORECAST ON PAGE 5

@kcchronicle

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

2

GETTING STARTED LOTTERY ILLINOIS LOTTERY Pick 3 Midday: 2-2-7 Pick 3 Evening: 6-3-1 Pick 4 Midday: 4-6-0-7 Pick 4 Evening: 3-5-4-7 Lucky Day Lotto Midday: 5-7-25-31-32 Lucky Day Lotto Evening: 1-24-30-33-42 Lotto jackpot: $17.25 million MEGA MILLIONS Est. jackpot: $85 million POWERBALL Est. jackpot: $180 million

ON THE COVER John Jepson of Hoffman Estates (left) plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge during a rehearsal of the play Scrooge’s Christmas at Playhouse 38 in Geneva.

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS Accuracy is important to the Kane County Chronicle, and we want to correct mistakes promptly.

Please call errors to our attention by phone, 630-845-5355; email, editorial@kcchronicle.com.

SUBMIT NEWS To submit news to the Kane County Chronicle, send a news release to editorial@kcchronicle. com. Be sure to include the time, the date and the place, as well as contact information.

TEXT ALERTS Get breaking news from the Kane County Chronicle sent to your phone. Text KCCNEWS to 74574. And to sign up for more alerts – including those for prep sports, the Kane County Cougars and severe weather – or to manage your text alerts, visit http://shawurl.com/kcctexts.

Message and data rates apply.

KCC VIDEOS Want to catch up on Kane County Chronicle news and sports videos?

Visit www.kcchronicle.com/video.

Photo provided

Tom Wangler, the owner of Confident Aire (left), prepares for Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke to draw the winning name in Confident Aire’s ninth annual Ultimate Energy Transformation and furnace giveaway. The winners were Steve and Reanna Lyons of Batavia.

Batavia family wins free furnace in Confident Aire contest

By CHARLES MENCHACA cmenchaca@shawmedia.com BATAVIA – Kathleen DiFatta was worried about the furnace at the Batavia home where her daughter and sonin-law recently moved.

The furnace was determined to be about 30 years old and had no fan. DiFatta did not want the furnace to have a carbon monoxide leak or anything that would harm the family, including her 2-yearold grandson, Sam. When DiFatta heard about Confident Aire’s annual contest offering a new furnace

to a deserving family, she put forth her son-in-law and daughter’s names – Steve and Reanna Lyons. Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke randomly drew their names Nov. 19 from the entries folded up in a small tin.

“I am over the moon about it,” DiFatta said. “I can sleep at night knowing they will be safe with the [new] furnace.”

For nine years, the family-owned, Batavia-based business Confident Aire has gathered nominations from the community for families that would benefit from the Ultimate Energy Transformation contest. Confident Aire spe-

!"#$%#& '%!$() *#+,!"#$"%&"' ()*+ ,")-./0'/ 1 23&.. $"0 45&6*0/

!"#$%&'(& )*+ ,%&*-./% 0*. 1".%2.3 ).2"4"456

E%)) F$77 G..,HIJ,KILMMMNF'$71$;A1=7#OP$%4?N2%;

!"#$% #% &'(#%) !"#$% #% *+,-. /+* 01('2 &'(#%) 3%4#5 6)1((7( !8 669 :#15 669 9%;7" 6)1((7( <7=7"('>7 &'(#%) 6)1(( <7(2$'?#'%"(@ A257B4)7( 1"B &$'2'"C D")'"7

cializes in residential home comfort systems.

The prize includes a new energy-efficient furnace, along with an indoor air-quality analysis, a blower door infiltration test, a professional load calculation, thorough duct cleaning and seal ductwork.

DiFatta did not tell the Lyonses they were in the contest until after she submitted the nomination materials.

Steve Lyons said he and his family were ecstatic to receive the gift. He said he has never won anything before.

“I never have to worry that this furnace is going to go out

and hurt my family,” Steve Lyons said. “I don’t think there is a better gift out there than peace of mind.”

The family currently lives on one income – Steve Lyons is a Villa Park firefighter – so Reanna Lyons can stay at home to raise their son.

Before his mother-in-law had even heard about the contest, Steve Lyons paid Confident Aire to do the original furnace check. This week, Confident Aire employees are back at the home to clean air ducts and are preparing to install the new furnace, Steve Lyons said.

Looking For Some Holiday Cash?

$

Get the most GREEN for your silver and gold!

Coins • Gold • Silver

TRI COUNTY COINS & COLLECTIBLES

Visit our resale shop for Vtg. Jewelry & Decor!

111 N. MAIN ST (RTE. 47), ELBURN

630-365-9700

TRICOUNTYCOINS.COM

adno=0359766

K ANE COUNTY

CHRONICLE

Get to know Barbara Sprain Yorkville resident Barbara Sprain, 76, was at Beech Tree Studio in Geneva when she answered nine questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

Where did you grow up?

Downers Grove Who would play you in the movie of your life? Audrey Hepburn First job? In a greenhouse making arrangements and corsages As a kid, what did you want to

KCChronicle.com

be when you grew up? I wanted to be a beautician like my aunt, who I love, and I did that.

A book you’d recommend? The Bible Favorite charity? The Kendall County Food Pantry Favorite ice cream flavor?

Strawberry Do you have children? Two What is an interesting factoid about yourself? I have been to England, Germany Switzerland and Italy.

OFFICE 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 1 St. Charles, IL 60174 630-232-9222 Fax: 630-444-1641 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday NEWSROOM 630-845-5355 Fax: 630-444-1641 editorial@kcchronicle.com

OUT&ABOUT WHAT: It will feature William Hazelgrove, Mary T. Wagner and Donald J. Bingle, as well as Jennifer DuBose and Laura Vasilion. The price of admission is $5, or $3 for students.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday. Those who are writers can join an open mic at 8:30 p.m., with a five-minute limit.

WHERE: Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St., Batavia INFORMATION: Visit www.WaterlineWriters.org or call 630-761-9977.

2

Christmas village and train display in St. Charles

WHAT: It features a Christmas village and electric trains, both modern and antique.

WHEN: The free display can be viewed from 1 to 6 p.m. today through Sunday.

It will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but open again from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 26 and 27, and from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays from Jan. 2 to 30.

WHERE: St. Charles Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles INFORMATION: Special showings for Scouts, schools, assisted-living field trips, or other groups, younger or older, can be arranged by emailing info@ stcharlesfmc.org. For information, visit

www.stcharlesfmc.org/calendar.htm.

3

Books Between Bites to welcome Roger Breisch

WHAT: He will discuss the book “The Ascent of Humanity: Civilization and the Human Sense of Self” by Charles Eisenstein. The public is invited to attend this free program, and reservations are not required.

WHEN: Noon today WHERE: Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia INFORMATION: For information about Books Between Bites, call Becky Hoag at 630-482-9157. A complete schedule can be found at www.booksbetweenbites.

Kane County Chronicle staffers pick the best of what to do in your free time com.

4

Free pancake breakfast with Santa in St. Charles

WHAT: The event is open to all, and children can get a photo with Santa and enjoy the Christmas wonderland of model train sets and winter scenery. In addition to the free breakfast, cookies and crafts will be for sale.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday WHERE: St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25), St. Charles INFORMATION: Call 630-584-2596, email scecoffice@sbcglobal.net, or visit www. stcharlesepiscopal.org.

5

Elburn Lions Club plans bingo night

WHAT: The Elburn Lions Club hosts bingo on Friday nights.

WHEN: Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday, early-bird games start at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Elburn Lions Club, 500 S. Filmore St., Elburn INFORMATION: Visit www.elburnlions. com or call 630-365-6315.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tuesday-Friday: $.75 / issue Weekend: $1.50 / issue Basic weekly rate: $4.50 Basic annual rate: $234 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, contact Customer Service.

CLASSIFIED SALES 800-589-8237 classified@shawsuburban.com Fax: 815-477-8898 LEGAL NOTICES publicnotice@kcchronicle.com 877-264-2527 Fax: 630-368-8809 RETAIL ADVERTISING 630-845-5284 OBITUARIES 815-526-4438 obits@kcchronicle.com General Manager Laura Burke lburke@shawmedia.com Editor Kathy Balcazar 630-845-5368 kbalcazar@shawmedia.com News Editor Al Lagattolla 630-845-5385 alagattolla@shawmedia.com

The Kane County Chronicle and KCChronicle.com are a division of Shaw Media.

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2015

facebook.com/ kanecountychronicle @kcchronicle

TODAY’S WEB POLL Of the following, what would you most like to see more of in Kane County?

• Residential single-family housing developments • Residential multi-family housing developments • Commercial development

YESTERDAY’S WEB POLL RESULTS Will a teachers strike be avoided in Kaneland School District 302?

1. No, there will be a brief strike (48 percent) 2. Yes, it will be avoided (39 percent) 3. No, there will be a lengthy strike (13 percent)

VOTE ONLINE: Voice your opinion at www.kcchronicle.com. Poll is at the bottom right of the homepage.

• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

1

Waterline Writers event in Batavia

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 800-589-9363 subscriptions@shawmedia.com 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday Missed your paper?

If you have not received your paper by 6 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, or by 7 a.m. Saturday, call 800-589-9363 by 10 a.m. for same-day redelivery.

3 GETTING STARTED | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

FaceTime

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

4

LOCAL NEWS

Get text alerts Stay informed during breaking news. Sign up for breaking news text and email alerts at KCChronicle.com.

Ralph Helm bringing lawn care business to Elburn

By AL LAGATTOLLA alagattolla@shawmedia.com ELBURN – Ralph Helm is bringing his lawn equipment business to Elburn. Whether the business eventually ends up on Route 47 remains unknown at this time.

Helm hopes to have the new Elburn location up and running by March at 820 Stover Drive, Unit A, in Elburn.

He currently operates other Ralph Helm Lawn Equipment Center locations that sell lawn equipment in Crystal Lake and Elgin.

Earlier this year, Helm became part of a Forest Preserve District of Kane County push to purchase land at 1001 S. Main St., which is on Route 47. When the Elburn Village Board at first voted down the forest preserve district’s quest to establish its Natural Resources Department at the site, the district came back with a plan to have Helm buy part of the land for his business.

The forest preserve proposal that included Helm received more support from

Al Lagattolla – alagattolla@shawmedia.com

Ralph Helm is bringing his lawn equipment business to Elburn.

He hopes to open a location by March at 820 Stover Drive.

Elburn’s board, but since that time, another buyer has emerged for the Route 47 property, and officials said it appears unlikely that the forest preserve will be involved at that location. Instead, Helm said he is hoping that he could work with the new buyer and eventually move his lawn equipment business to that location.

Drew Frasz, a Kane County Board member and forest preserve district commissioner, originally advocated

for the district to locate its department at the Route 47 location. After the Village Board’s initial rejection, he started looking for other options, including a site south of Elburn. He said if the new buyer would locate a business at the Route 47 site and then welcome Helm’s business, it would be ideal.

“I think it’d be the best scenario, all around,” Frasz said.

Elburn Village President Dave Anderson agreed.

“That’s nothing against the forest preserve,” Anderson said. “The best scenario would be an existing business or another new business purchasing the property. That way, you get the sales tax dollars, real estate tax dollars and some jobs.”

In the meantime, Helm is eager to establish a presence in Elburn, since Rob Houtz, who owns a similar business in the village, plans to retire in the spring. Helm said he plans to hire the majority of employees who currently are working for Houtz.

Helm said the Stover Drive location isn’t ideal. It’s 8,500

Yellow House Artists exhibit includes work from Kane County residents

By KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE editorial@kcchronicle.com Yellow House Artists, an organization of painters who work in oil pastel and oil stick, is presenting its “Festival In Color” exhibit.

The group show runs until Jan. 15 at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, and features original paintings by 34 artists, including Nancy Gatfield of Batavia; Judith Niemet of Elburn; Ed and Carol Zack of Elgin; Mary Enck and Fran Stilwagner of Geneva; Lillian Pagni of Hampshire; Jim Foght, Rupali Kumbhani, Sandy Povall Smith, Patricia Van-

Dusen, Teri Tossey and Sandy Antonelli of St. Charles; Deann Alleman of Sugar Grove; Carol Kincaid of Wheaton; Victoria Wortley of West Chicago; and Bette Costello of West Dundee.

Founded in 2007, the Yellow House Artists group has grown to more than 50 members from across the suburbs.

Most of the paintings in the “Festival In Color” exhibit are for sale, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild and Elmhurst Art Museum.

The exhibit is open during regular Elmhurst Art Museum hours. Winter hours began Dec. 12 and are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday,

Friday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The first Friday of each month is the museum’s free admission day. At other times, admission is $8 for adults and $7 for seniors. Elmhurst Art Museum members, students and youth younger than 18 are admitted free. The museum is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Visit elmhurstartistsguild. org to learn more about the museum.

To learn about the Yellow House Artists organization, visit www.yellowhouseartists. com or email yellowhouseartists@yahoo.com.

square feet, which is smaller than his other locations. Also, the Route 47 site would have significant visibility. Stover Drive is in an industrial area west of Route 47.

“It will work,” Helm said.

“We will make it work.”

Helm also noted that the Stover Drive location is owned by Frasz. He said he found that out when he called to inquire about the site, which he said he always intended to be temporary. Frasz said by then, Helm had indi-

cated he had “pretty much given up” on working with the forest preserve district.

Helm said he is excited about opening his business in Elburn. He said when talk first started about his business coming to town, he heard from village residents who had questions they wanted answered. He said it was clear they cared about what he intended to do.

“I intend to support Elburn,” Helm said. “I intend to be involved in Elburn.”

Holiday Cocktails To Warm Up and Delight Your Guests SPONSORED BY

By Denise Freese December is a great time to host a get-together for family, friends, or co-workers.

One way to complement the wonderful meals and desserts you choose to serve is to create some tasty cocktails to go with them! You can be creative with ingredients to make the following ideas for holiday spirits fit your budget and lifestyle.

To accompany “comfort food”, consider trying a soothing, restorative cocktail. Ina Garten’s Holiday Hot Chocolate recipe uses white chocolate and vanilla bean seeds, along with Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur. Eggnog is another cold-weather favorite; adding your favorite bourbon gives it a nice kick. Try Alton Brown’s recipe.

It’s always fun to try something new and trendy, too. The Gingerbread Martini is almost like a dessert itself; the sweet ginger flavor will pair well with just about any dessert. For a more elegant choice, try the

Champagne with Cranberries to dress up a formal holiday table.

This time of year, revelers are tempted with many higher calorie choices; for those looking for some alternatives, consider the easy yet decadent 302-calorie Chocolate Martini: Click here for recipe.

Or if your tastes run more towards a fruity cocktail, try the 147-calorie Passion Fruit Mimosa. Even more waist-friendly is the 97-calorie Golden Apple, a refreshing way to use in-season apples and keep it diet-friendly.

The Blue Goose Market in festive downtown St. Charles wishes everyone a safe and fun holiday season. Visit The Blue Goose for a terrific selection of spirits, liqueurs, and wines, plus the ingredients to make these special holiday cocktails!

Blue Goose Market, 300 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles, IL 630-584-0900 www.BlueGooseMarket.com www.facebook.com/ BlueGooseMarket

adno=0301362

WEATHER

5

Bill Bellis

Chief Meteorologist

National Weather

TODAY

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

Breezy and colder with clouds and sun

Mostly cloudy, breezy and cold

Seasonably cold with plenty of sunshine

Mostly cloudy, rain at night

Morning rain; otherwise, cloudy

Partial sun and mild

Some sunshine, mild again

46 39

43 30

41 38

46 34

34 22

30 17

33 27

Tri-Cities Almanac

Harvard

34/20 McHenry Statistics through 4 p.m. yesterday Belvidere 35/21 Temperatures Waukegan 36/22 36/21 High/low ....................................... 54°/41° Normal high ......................................... 33° Rockford Crystal Lake Deerfield Record high .............................. 58° (1984) Algonquin 36/22 34/22 36/23 35/21 Normal low .......................................... 20° Hampshire Record low ............................... -2° (1972) Schaumburg 35/21 Elgin 35/23 Peak wind ........................... ESE at 24 mph 36/23 DeKalb Precipitation 34/22 Tri-Cities Chicago 24 hours through 4 p.m. yest. ........... 0.13” 34/22 36/23 Month to date ................................... 2.24” Normal month to date ....................... 1.31” Oak Park Year to date .................................... 38.52” 36/25 Aurora Normal year to date ........................ 36.80” Dixon 36/22

UV Index

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. ™

35/23

Sandwich 36/23

Orland Park 36/24

Regional Weather 10 a.m.

Noon

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme

Air Quality

Reading as of Wednesday

City Arlington Hts Aurora Deerfield Des Plaines Elgin Gary Hammond Janesville

Today Hi Lo W 36 23 c 35 23 pc 36 23 c 36 23 c 36 23 pc 38 26 pc 38 25 pc 37 23 c

Friday Hi Lo W 31 18 pc 31 18 pc 31 18 pc 31 19 pc 30 17 pc 33 24 pc 36 22 pc 31 18 c

City Kankakee Kenosha La Salle Morris Munster Naperville Tinley Park Waukegan

Today Hi Lo W 36 24 pc 36 21 c 36 24 pc 37 24 pc 36 25 pc 36 23 pc 36 25 pc 36 21 c

Friday Hi Lo W 31 21 pc 31 18 c 33 19 s 32 19 pc 31 20 pc 30 18 pc 31 20 pc 31 17 pc

Fox River Stages 0-50 Good; 51-100 Moderate; 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200 Unhealthy; 201-300 Very Unhealthy; 301-500 Hazardous Source: Illinois EPA

Weather History

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

An ice storm in Illinois on Dec. 17, 1924, caused more than $21 million in damage.

Ice accumulation was almost 2 inches.

Wires snapped and trees cracked. The last of the ice stayed on the ground until Jan. 4.

Fld: flood stage. Prs: stage in feet at 7 a.m Wednesday. Chg: change in previous 24 hours.

Station Fld Prs Chg Station Fld Prs Chg Algonquin................. 3....... 1.45..... +0.06 Montgomery........... 13..... 12.74...... -0.17 Burlington, WI ........ 11....... 9.18...... -0.04 New Munster, WI .... 19..... 10.77..... +0.97 Dayton ................... 12..... 11.54...... -0.27 Princeton .............. 9.5....... 6.56..... +0.20 McHenry .................. 4....... 3.44..... +0.25 Waukesha ................ 6....... 4.68...... -0.11

Sun and Moon Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

Today 7:15 a.m.

4:23 p.m.

11:27 a.m.

11:19 p.m.

Friday 7:16 a.m.

4:24 p.m.

12:02 p.m. none

First

Full

Last

New

City Anchorage Atlanta Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Dallas Denver Des Moines Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles

Today Hi Lo W 28 18 c 65 38 t 55 41 r 23 15 pc 36 33 sn 51 44 r 66 46 t 36 23 pc 42 27 pc 60 33 s 22 9 sf 34 22 pc 83 71 pc 62 38 s 37 26 pc 37 23 pc 51 36 s 68 47 s

World Weather City Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Buenos Aires Cairo Calgary Jerusalem Johannesburg London Madrid Manila

Today Hi Lo W 53 47 pc 64 49 pc 38 16 s 54 46 sh 80 61 t 68 52 pc 22 7 s 52 43 pc 84 59 t 59 52 pc 61 38 pc 81 77 r

Friday Hi Lo W 26 23 c 52 33 s 49 29 pc 38 33 c 42 37 r 53 34 r 58 27 pc 31 19 pc 36 24 pc 56 38 s 50 31 pc 34 19 s 83 72 sh 59 35 s 34 22 pc 41 24 s 55 37 s 73 50 s

City Louisville Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Seattle Washington, DC

Today Hi Lo W 46 31 pc 84 73 t 37 23 c 27 15 c 50 30 s 65 45 s 58 49 r 47 23 pc 33 21 pc 84 69 t 60 48 r 58 39 s 49 29 r 43 28 s 32 26 c 57 44 pc 45 41 r 55 41 r

Friday Hi Lo W 40 27 pc 85 63 t 31 19 c 23 11 c 46 29 pc 61 41 s 51 35 c 51 32 s 35 19 s 74 45 sh 51 32 pc 70 44 s 37 24 sf 44 26 s 42 28 c 58 47 sh 47 36 sh 49 31 pc

Friday Hi Lo W 53 41 s 64 45 pc 42 16 s 53 45 sh 79 51 s 66 51 pc 32 17 pc 53 40 s 86 61 t 57 54 pc 61 37 pc 84 76 sh

City Mexico City Moscow Nassau New Delhi Paris Rio de Janeiro Rome Seoul Singapore Sydney Tokyo Toronto

Today Hi Lo W 77 45 pc 24 17 pc 84 75 s 69 43 pc 58 48 pc 87 74 pc 59 38 s 31 21 s 86 77 pc 79 68 pc 52 42 c 48 31 pc

Friday Hi Lo W 67 41 pc 28 26 c 84 72 pc 69 43 pc 54 47 pc 91 76 t 59 40 pc 39 24 pc 88 76 pc 83 69 s 50 39 pc 39 24 sf

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

Dec 18

Dec 25

Jan 1

Jan 9

Forecasts and graphics, except WFLD forecasts, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015

Your Trusted Home Comfort Professionals Since 1992

Call us today!

630-761-9007

www.confidentaire.com

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

Seven-Day Forecast

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

6

Adopted man reunited with biological family ‘It just was the most wonderful thing for him to find his sister’

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com For years, Rich Nelson was known in Geneva as an active member of the American Legion, often seen carrying the flag in the Swedish Days parade and other parades.

But something many might not have known about the tall, soft-spoken man was that he was adopted and wondered about his biological family.

Nelson said he was about 12 or 13 when he learned he was adopted.

“We lived in southwest Michigan at a resort,” said Nelson, now 80 and living in Carol Stream. “In the summer, I was working, washing dishes at the little restaurant there. And some woman who I didn’t know … she come up to me and said, ‘You know, that’s not your real mother.’ “ Traumatized, Nelson went home crying.

“I went to my mother and she went into hysterics, almost,” Nelson said. “And we never talked about it again.”

But it remained on his mind.

And when Illinois law changed in 2010 to make it easier for adoptees to find their birth parents, Nelson relied on the support of his best friend and former college roommate, Bill Swank.

Swank said he wrote to a judge, got some leads, then passed the information on to a confidential intermediary who Nelson hired to help him find his biological family.

When he was 74, Nelson spoke to his sister, Bonnie Skinner, for the first time, and discovered that she was born in January 1935 and that he was born in November 1935.

“It turned out unbelievable,” Nelson said. “My sister said we were ‘Irish twins.’ I had never heard that term before.”

He also found out he was born in Indiana, not in Illinois.

And that his birth name was Paul Rickman.

Rich Nelson was the name his adoptive parents, Elmer and Hildur Nelson, had given him.

And, through Skinner, Nelson also met many of his extended family members and half

Photo provided

Rich Nelson (front right) and his half-brother, Tony Goods (standing with striped shirt), and Nelson’s sister, Bonnie Skinner (seated behind him), are seen at a family reunion this summer. Also pictured are (from left, back row) Nelson’s son Brad Nelson and daughters Jill Nelson and Melanie Miraglia. Another daughter, Aimee Healy, is seated in front. siblings – even hosting a family reunion at a Kane County Cougars game.

“How friendly all these people have been that I never met all these years,” Nelson said.

••• Bonnie Skinner, a resident of New Jersey, said Rich Nelson contacted her daughter, who called with the news that her mother had a third brother.

“It was unbelievable,” Skinner said. “Well, I said, ‘That’s great. Let’s see what he has to say.’ ” The family dynamic was complicated: Skinner and Nelson’s mother was one of 10 children who had four children by more than one father and was only married to one of them, Skinner said.

Skinner herself was placed in an orphanage, then retrieved by an aunt at 6 months old. The aunt – who Skinner refers to as “Mother” – raised her. Skinner calls her biological mother

“Mom.” “My Mother raised me until Mom moved upstairs in a two-story house,” Skinner said.

“I didn’t know until I was probably 12 or 13 years old that Mother was not my real mother. My Mom … was great, but she was not ready to be a mom.”

Skinner said she was happy that Nelson found them.

“He is wonderful,” Skinner said. “He looks so much like my uncles. He’s a dead ringer for my uncle Charlie. I knew he [Nelson] had to be part of the family.”

What was even more surprising was that Skinner and Nelson’s biological mother lived with Skinner and her husband for 13 years and never said a word about giving up a son for adoption.

“You’d think she would have said something,” Skinner said.

Their mother died in 1995 at age 95, Skinner said, and she is buried in Oak Brook – coinci-

dentally not that far from where Nelson lives now.

“Today, everything is different,” Skinner said. “Back then, you kept it all a secret.”

••• Bill Swank said he was Rich Nelson’s roommate and basketball teammate while they attended San Diego State College in 1961.

“I was 6-3, and Rich was about 6-5,” Swank said. “Rich had a great hook shot. That first night, he wanted to go out for beer and he told me that he was adopted. This was something he always had on his mind. He said he always wondered, ‘Who am I?’” When it seemed that Nelson would find his extended family, Swank said he cautioned his friend to be prepared that things might not go well.

“He had to find his family,” Swank said. ‘I warned him, ‘You might not want to find your family.’ ”

But his worries were for nothing, Swank said, as Skinner and the extended family were warm and welcoming to his friend.

“Rich was so happy,” Swank said. “His own kids got to meet their own blood relatives this summer. It was so important to Rich. It just was the most wonderful thing for him to find his sister.”

Nelson eventually settled in Geneva, where he lived for years. Not only did he serve as commander of the American Legion, but he had also been elected as highway commissioner for Geneva Township.

And though Swank lives in California, the two have remained best friends for 50 years, Swank said.

“He calls every Sunday at 9 a.m.,” Swank said. “We’ve never had an argument. The only time we argue is when we go out

See ADOPTION, page 7

LOCAL BRIEF Christmas tree sale to be held in Elgin

Please join us at our

OPEN HOUSE

on Sunday, January 31 from 12:00pm-1:30pm.

You can also call us at 630-232-0476 or email: Tweis@stpeterrockets.org if you have questions or would like to schedule a tour.

stpeterrockets.org

now open! Full-Service in St. Charles

Sterling Service, Sterling Facilities!

15 month certificate

1.30% APY*

$1,000 Minimum to Open

St. Charles

360 South 1st Street | (630) 549-7065

www.sterbank.com

Celebrate the opening of our newest full

service location with a high performance rate! *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. All “Annual Percentage Yields” assume quarterly compounding with funds remaining on deposit for a full year. Interest Rates and “Annual Percentage Yields” are accurate as of Thursday, December 17, 2015. Fees on any account could reduce earnings.

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

Windy Hill Christmas Tree Farm in Gleason, Wisconsin.

Sales will be open from 9 a.m.

ELGIN – Ziegler Ace Hardware to 8 p.m. daily through Dec. 21. in downtown Elgin will offer A portion of the proceeds Christmas tree sales to benefit will benefit the programs Ecker Center for Mental Health. and services of Ecker Center.

This program is a continuation Ziegler Ace Hardware is at 215 of the traditional tree sales that N. Spring St. in Elgin. used to be conducted at Larkin For information, call Ecker Center.

Center at 847-695-0484, ext.

Trees and wreaths will be 1913. provided by the same vendor – – The Associated Press

Give The Gift of A Catholic Education

adno=0359475

School and is a boys and girls tennis coach at Batavia High Continued from page 6 School.

“The law change had a litand who’s going to pay. He tle bit to do with his decision, wants to pay, and I want to knowing it was going to be a pay.” little bit easier to get that in••• formation,” Brad Nelson said Rich Nelson’s son, Brad of his dad’s quest to find his Nelson, 48, lives in Batavia, family. “I think it really alwhere he teaches fourth grade lowed him to get some quesat Louise White Elementary tions answered.”

• ADOPTION

7 LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Nelson’s father: The search allowed questions to be answered

City of St. Charles welcomes new school

Photo provided

St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and city of St. Charles representatives join in a ribbon-cutting for Montessori Stepping Stone, located at 1700 Lincoln Highway in St. Charles.

Support the Local Economy

A ND

Get Things Done.

Find someone to do it for you in the Service Directory of the classified section.

adno=0359185

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, December 17, 2015

|LOCAL NEWS

8

“We’re going to take a look at the process of hibernation and see which animals are awake and what they’re doing at this time of year.”

By CAROL HAGGAS editorial@kcchronicle.com

Laura McCoy St. Charles Park District nature programs supervisor

holiday refreshments, visitors will be treated to a meetand-greet event with Hickory Knolls Discovery Center residents, such as the always-popular Peter the Rabbit, and learn about the ways animals, reptiles and birds prepare for the cold weather ahead.

And while things can get a little nippy in winter, frosty

times mean nothing but fun for children who can enroll in three-day “Frozen Fun” camps to warm up the Christmas break. Offered in separate sessions for 3- to 5-yearolds and for children ages 6 and older, “Frozen Fun” camps take place Monday, Dec. 28, through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Inspired by the pop-

ular movie, and with special appearances by Elsa, Anna and Olaf, “Frozen Fun” camp sessions teem with snow and ice experiments and crafts that help take the chill away and explain why things freeze and how they melt.

Of course, learning the “why” of things is something children just naturally want to do. A new series of “Why Do We Have ... ?” programs explore the answers to such nature-based questions as, “Why Do We Have Shadows?” and, “Why Do We Have Rainbows?” Geared to both parent

his Bowgren cousins and aunts and uncles. He especially liked spending summers, and as much time as he could on his Uncle Al and Aunt Judy’s farm in Genoa. Dud graduated from Geneva High School in 1953, and shortly there after he joined the Navy in Great Lakes.

He married Jacqueline Madsen in October of 1955. He spent the next 21 years in the Navy, mostly in New London, CT. Much of that

time he was a Navy Submarine Sr., Chief and enjoyed his experiences in submarines. After his retirement from the Navy, he worked for Digital Computer Company for 12 years.

He and Jackie were long time active members of the Taftville, CT Congregational Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Geneva as well as CT. Dud and Jackie enjoyed RV camping and were long time members of the Holiday

Ramblers. He was a loving husband, father and papa to his three grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) Lee, Kristen Lee and Shawn Dooley. Dud will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

Dudley is survived by his daughters, Kenlyn (Ken) Lee, and Danette Dahlquist and their families of Norwich, CT; his sister-in-law, Virginia Minard and husband, Ralph of St. Charles; as well as many cousins,

Photo provided

The St. Charles Park District will host a “Wild New Year’s Eve” program from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec 31 at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles.

OBITUARIES

Dudley Clifford Dahlquist, 80, of Norwich, Connecticut, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015, at the Backus Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born in Geneva, IL in 1935, to Clifford E. and Hazel (Bowgren) Dahlquist. Dudley grew up in Geneva, and enjoyed playing with all of

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Anthony J. Brenner: Visitation will Sally J. Christensen: Visitation to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at Moss at the church. Interment will take place from 9:30 a.m. until will take place from 10 a.m. to Family Funeral Home, 209 S. follow at West Batavia Cemetery time of funeral Mass at 11 a.m. noon, with a memorial service to Batavia Ave., Batavia, followed in Batavia.

Thursday, Dec. 17, at St. Anne follow at noon, Monday, Dec. 21, by a memorial service from 7 to Kenneth E. Johnson: The visitation Catholic Church, 120 Ela St., Barat Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. 8 p.m. will be from 4 until the 7 p.m. rington. Interment will be at St. Pierce St., Elburn.

Marjorie A. Holbrook: Visitation memorial service Thursday, Dec. Michael the Archangel Cemetery Terry L. Cryer: The visitation will will take place from 3 to 8 p.m.

17, at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Friday, Dec. 18, at Immanuel Main St., St. Charles. in Palatine. be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Malone Funeral Home, 324 Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Road, James Swift: The visitation will Harold T. Cadell Jr.: A memorial E. State St. (Route 38), Geneva, Batavia. Funeral services will take be from 10 a.m. to noon, with a visitation will take place from 1 memorial service to celebrate his to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, followed followed by a memorial service at place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. life at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. by a memorial service at 4 p.m. at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

19, at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

19, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 Yurs Funeral Home 1771 W. State Kathleen Doan: A memorial She will lie in state from 9:30 W. Pierce St., Elburn.

St., Geneva. Burial will be private. visitation will take place from 5 a.m. until the time of the service

nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church, Taftville, CT.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

If you want your eyeglasses to last, there are a number of things that you can do (or avoid) that will prevent them from becoming damaged. The first of these recommendations involves storing them in a protective case when they are not being worn. By throwing eyeglasses in a jacket pocket, you run the risk of having the lenses becoming scratched or the frames being bent. Nor is it a good idea to place eyeglasses on the dashboard of a car, where the hot sun can damage lens coatings and melt plastic frames. As for wearing your glasses on the top of your head, they may keep your hair in place, but the temples (arms) may bend in the process.

P.S. When removing or putting eyeglasses in place, always use two hands placed on each temple (arm). By using only one hand, you risk stretching the temples and damaging the hinges.

adno=0359826

DUDLEY D. DAHLQUIST

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

After all the showy summer flowers and flashy fall colors she produces, Mother Nature deserves to take a break during winter. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth, and new programs at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center demonstrate just how busy the natural world can be at this time of year.

It truly is something to celebrate, which just so happens to be the – ahem – nature of the “Wild New Year’s Eve” program, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec 31. While mom and dad might struggle to stay up to ring in the new year, discovering who the true party animals are is something the whole family can get behind.

“We’re going to take a look at the process of hibernation and see which animals are awake and what they’re doing at this time of year,” said Laura McCoy, nature programs supervisor for the St. Charles Park District. While enjoying

and child, the programs use hands-on experiments and age-appropriate scientific words, and provide parents with helpful scientific background so they can extend the learning experience at home for any additional questions that might arise.

One of those questions might well be, “Who has been in my backyard?” Snow-covered ground is the perfect place to see tracks of creatures that wander the winter landscape and the “Making Tracks on T-shirts” program looks at how animals slither, hop and fly to get around.

“This is a real movement-oriented program,” McCoy said. “It’s a great cure for cabin fever.”

Held from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11, parents and children can put their newly found knowledge of tracks on display by crafting a track-stenciled T-shirt using puffy paints and a plain T-shirt they’ve brought from home.

For information about winter programs at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, contact McCoy at 630-513-4393.

9 KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Discover winter wonderland of fun at Hickory Knolls

victim in critical condition

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com

SUGAR GROVE – As of Wednesday afternoon, Sugar Grove police were still not releasing the name of a 20-year-old Aurora man critically injured in a crash Tuesday morning.

Sugar Grove Police Chief Pat Rollins said he is withholding the man’s name because the man’s family is out of the country, and – though they are on their way back to the U.S. – have not yet returned.

The injured man was flown to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove after the incident Tuesday.

“He is critical,” Rollins said Wednesday afternoon. “He suf-

fered traumatic injuries from the accident.”

The accident happened at 9:30 a.m. on Galena Boulevard where it goes over Route 56.

The injured man was pushing a 2010 Toyota Yaris in the westbound lanes when he was struck from behind by a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu.

Rollins said the road has two lanes in both directions with a speed limit of 50 mph.

Jorge Espinosa, 18, of the 500 block of Wingpointe Drive, Aurora, was driving the Malibu, Rollins said.

Police cited Espinosa for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and not having a valid driver’s license, Rollins said.

Managed by BMA Management, Ltd.

www.bma-mgmt.com

Call For A Tour!

We offer private apartments, equipped with kitchenette, private bath, individually controlled heat & air and a 24-hour emergency response system.

Your monthly rent ALSO INCLUDES: • Three meals served restaurant style daily • Transportation • Weekly housekeeping and laundry service • Activities and outings • Nursing and wellness care

Financial Assistance Available!

1079 East Wilson Street | Batavia

630-406-9440

Support the Local Economy

A ND

Get Things Done.

Find someone to do it for you in the Service Directory of the classified section.

ADNO=0359203

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| LOCAL NEWS

10 Police: Sugar Grove crash

Why ‘Reading is Sweet’ this winter BEYOND THE BOOKSHELVES Paula Krapf

Ready to sign up? Register from home at www.gpld.org, or in person at the adult or youth services departments, and find out why “Reading is Sweet.”

•••

A r t s

C e n t e r

Invites you to

Music in the Gallery

™

featuring

please consider supporting our holiday tree project by contributing food, snacks, personal items or toiletries to Fox Valley Troop Support for the benefit of local, deployed service members. Donations can be left at either customer service desk.

Thank you!

•••

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

Verizon Wireless announced the kickoff of its “Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive.” The drive will benefit Cal’s Angels, a nonprofit organization providing support to children fighting cancer and their families. Donations can be made through Sunday, Dec. 20, at participating Verizon stores in the Chicago area during regular business hours. Donated gifts may

C u l t u r a l

A note from the customer service desk: This holiday season

“The Librarian Recommends”:

Ruth Glen, reference assistant, adult services, said: “Dear Mr. You” by Mary-Louise Parker “is probably the furthest thing from a conventional celebrity memoir you can imagine. A stunning literary debut from a woman whose abilities as a writer are commensurate with her highly celebrated talents as an actress. This book is a collection of letters to the men who have impacted her life, real and imagined. It wowed me.”

• Paula Krapf is public relations and marketing coordinator for the Geneva Public Library. The “Beyond the Bookshelves” column runs the third Thursday of each month.

Feedback can be sent to editorial@kcchronicle.com.

LOCAL BRIEF Toy drive to be held

N o r r i s

include items such as coloring books, crayons, board games, cars and trucks, dolls, action figures, stuffed animals, arts and crafts kits and G-rated DVDs. All donations must be new, packaged and unwrapped. Participating locations include – 350 Randall Road, Batavia; 1852 Towne Center Drive, North Aurora; and 596 Randall Road, South Elgin. For information, visit www.verizon.com.

– Kane County Chronicle

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

We’ve got a sweet deal at the Geneva Public Library this winter: Join our Winter Reading Program, expand your horizons – and win prizes for reading books!

Our “Reading is Sweet” program kicked off Dec. 11 and runs through March 7. Is there a better way to spend the cold winter days than curled up with a good book?

“It’s so wonderful that the Geneva Public Library offers a Winter Reading Program; not all libraries do,” Adult Services Manager Nancy Kendzior said.

“What a great way to encourage the love of reading, and the whole family can participate – not just kids.”

Teens and adults will earn drawing entries for every book read or library program attended, “for a chance to win some fun and delicious prizes,” Kendzior said.

For kids, there are multiple benefits to participating in the library’s reading program.

“Our youth Winter Reading Program can be adapted for any age and reading level, and simply encourages the joy of reading,” Youth Services manager Kristi Miller said. “Studies show that free, voluntary reading is essential to helping students become better readers, writers and spellers – and kids generally read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests.

“We encourage kids to set their own reading goals for the winter program, and we offer a choice of activities that can be completed individually or as a family.”

11

The

Ragged Rascals Along with traditional Irish pub songs, shanties and rebel songs, The Ragged Rascals will perform a variety of Gaelic and English Christmas music. Perfect for all ages.

Enjoy the unique, intimate setting, surrounded by award-winning artwork.

3 p.m. Sunday, December 20th, 2015 Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 www.NorrisCulturalArts.com The Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center 1040 Dunham Road | St. Charles 630-584-7200 ext. 10

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| LOCAL NEWS

12

LOCAL BRIEF Holiday-themed camp planned for South Elgin

The camp will include time with Proceeds benefit Anderson the animals, crafts and more.

Animal Shelter. For information, SOUTH ELGIN – Anderson An- There will be different holidayand animal-themed activities for imal Shelter has planned a holchildren. Attendees can expect iday-themed camp over winter break for those ages 7 to 12. The to bring home at least one ornament and a long-sleeved Santa Paws Children’s Workshops take place from 9 a.m. to T-shirt. Pizza will be served, and 1 p.m. Saturday through Monday children will take part in games. at 1000 S. LaFox St., South Elgin. The cost is $50 per sessions.

email Carrie Frost at cfrost@ andersonanimalshelter.org or

WWW.TITLEMAX.COM

50

$$

call 847-697-2880, ext. 51.

– Kane County Chronicle

•Instant Approval •Get Cash Today •Monthly Payments

* FREE FREE CASH CASH

When you borrow $1000 or more. Must bring offer to store*

TURN YOUR CAR TITLE INTO CASH 2015 W. Main St, St. Charles 630-797-9113

adno=0361785

Giving Trees continue to raise money at museum can hear people say, ‘Look at this.’”

The Girl Scout tree is so striking, Emma said, she’s had offers to buy it.

“The Girl Scout tree is handmade from limbs [they collected],” Emma said.

“They have sparkling lights with red ribbons and s’mores, graham crackers, Hershey bars and marshmallows.”

The tree, which represents all 43 troops in Geneva, was made by five seventh-grade girls – Maya Hawkins, Annabelle Letizia, Reagan Lubben, Hannah Paschke and Isabella Pignataro – from Girl Scout Troop 4807 at Geneva Middle Schools North and South, said Gunther Lubben, a co-leader of the troop.

Emma said voting can continue online until noon Dec. 23, and at the museum until 4 p.m. that day, when the tickets will be tallied and the winner announced.

Now Open!

50% OFF FIRST TIME GROOMING CLIENTS with this ad!

Book Your Appointments Online or Call 630-389-9605

www.woofbeach.com

adno=0359211

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

GENEVA – For the eighth year, 14 local nonprofits have Giving Trees on display at the Geneva History Museum, where supporters can “vote” for their favorite trees with donations in person or on the website www.genevahistorymuseum.org.

“It’s kind of become a tradition for people to come and see them,” museum executive director Terry Emma said. “It helps a lot for the nonprofits to be able to raise additional funds.”

Patrons in person or online can buy tickets for $1 each and direct them to their favorite tree.

The winning organization will receive all the donations made to its tree. The remaining organizations will split their winnings with the history museum.

“Some people do a dollar

and some $200 online with their credit cards,” Emma said.

The trees were decorated by volunteers from Geneva Beautification, Fox Valley Hands of Hope, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Covenant Care Hospice, Hearts of Hope, Marklund, the Geneva Girl Scouts, Greater Geneva Art Guild, Lazarus House, the Association for Individual Development, The Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, Geneva Women’s Club and Rover Rescue.

Among the most popular trees so far this year are the ones from Rover Rescue and the Girl Scouts, Emma said.

“Rover Rescue has a Charlie Brown tree, with a Snoopy doghouse as the base and Woodstock in the nest at the top,” Emma said. “And they have pictures of all the dogs they rescued as ornaments.

It’s a real crowd-pleaser. You

2015 2 015

Christmas Tree Locator

Be your own boss!

Introducing The Salon Suites of Geneva Suites are a wonderful opportunity to have the freedom to increase your earnings, set your own pricing and hours, and give your clients privacy. If you are self-motivated, this is the opportunity for you! Most people increase their income by 50%! Be creative, design and decorate with your own style! Excellent location near Geneva Commons! Call for more information!!

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees Garland - Wreaths

RE/MAX Excels

2N492 Kirk Rd • St. Charles Between Rt. 38 & Rt. 64. Look For The Big Green Barn

Dorothy H. Kolschowsky

630.584.2024

Broker (630) 262-4321 (Direct)

Open 7 Days A Week • HOURS: M-F 8-6 • SAT 8-5 • SUN 11-4

www.trellisfarm.com adno=0359538

dkolschowsky@remax.net www.dkolschowsky.illinoisproperty.com ©2015 Imprev, Inc. |

13 LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com

• GROOMING • TRAINING Woofbeach Palms 716 W. State St. • SUPPLIES Geneva New Location!

RE/MAX Excels 1772 S. Randall Rd., Ste 100 Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

14

OPINIONS

EDITORIAL

BOARD

Jim Ringness General Manager

Kathy Balcazar Editor

Al Lagattolla News Editor

Kevin Druley Sports Editor

Finally ready for finals So this title is a complete lie. To say that I’m perfectly prepared for final exams in my classes is an understatement.

No college student is ever ready for finals. As I write this, I’m slowly turning into a pile of putty thinking about all my assignments and projects that are soon due. But, hey, all my fellow college students can probably relate to what I’m preaching. I have cumulative exams, a writing portfolio, an ecology project and writing assignments all due the week before Christmas. Joy to the world!

While I should be cracking open my biology book or working on my English assignment, all I can think about is Christmas. There’s no question why – Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I adore snuggling up in a cozy blanket next to the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in my living room. Giving gifts to relatives, receiving silly presents from friends, it’s all such a lovely time of year.

Yet, how am I supposed to get into the Christmas spirit when all I do is study and complete projects? I’m surrounded by gingerbread men and snowmen in my bedroom, and even jamming out to some Christmas tunes, but all I can think about is memorizing the definition of photosynthesis.

While I want to bake batches of reindeer-shaped sugar cookies, all I can do is type away at an essay that I’m not even remotely interested in. I am also trying to ignore the fact that nothing that I’m writing in my English paper seems to smoothly flow together or make any coherent sense; I just want it to be completed.

Though I complain about having a pile of projects and exams the week before Christmas, there is really nothing I can do to change the way colleges run things. I understand the point of finals, in a way. They are needed in order to precisely

THE FIRST

AMENDMENT

BEFORE THE DIPLOMA Denise Cartina measure just how much a particular student has learned in a specific class during one full semester. Still, I hate them.

I have about 10 people to Christmas shop for, and I still have no time or interest to study the artistic difference between vertical and horizontal lines.

Realistically, I completely enjoy having final exams before winter break. Having final exams right after break is terrible since students typically lose any possible school-related information in their brain once they go on break. Not only does completing finals before winter break relieve the agony of having to remember any school-related material for a long period of time, but it also allows students to start completely fresh after break with a whole new set of classes and teachers.

When you are all reading this, I will have just finished my last final and class project for the semester. You most likely can catch me rushing home from Waubonsee Community College, plopping down on my couch once I arrive home, and scheduling a trip to the mall with my friends to finish Christmas shopping. I’d like to wish you all merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, or whatever it is you celebrate. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season with friends and family in sweet serenity.

• Denise Cartina is a student at Waubonsee Community College and graduate of Batavia High School. In addition to writing, she enjoys watching sappy romantic comedies, eating peanut butter and keeping elegance alive. Her column runs every other Thursday in the Kane County Chronicle. Contact her at editorial@kcchronicle.com.

ANOTHER VIEW

An OPEC crisis would be a terrible thing to waste BLOOMBERG VIEW The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is in disarray.

The price of Brent crude fell to less than $38 a barrel on Friday, the lowest since 2008. If the cartel had been working, it would be cutting output to force prices back up. Its members chose to keep pumping.

Why? Because just as demand from emerging markets is slowing, technology has changed the economics of oil. That’s bad news for OPEC, but good news for everybody else – especially if the U.S. government and others have the wit to kick OPEC while it’s down.

The U.S. shale-oil revolution has greatly increased non-OPEC supply.

At the same time, efforts to curb oil consumption as part of the fight against climate change are further

limiting the cartel’s power to set prices. Oil prices are notoriously hard to predict, but these forces aren’t going away, and they mean that OPEC’s troubles may not be temporary.

Shed no tears. If the cartel collapsed altogether, there’d be no need to reinvent it. Meanwhile, OPEC’s weakness presents an opportunity – and smart policy can make the most of it.

Cheap oil will directly boost growth in most of the world, but with side effects that need to be managed. The fall in oil prices will encourage oil consumption, both in the short term (people will use their cars more) and long term (they’ll buy cars that are less fuel-efficient). This works against reducing carbon emissions, and over time could help to restore OPEC’s market power. Later, if prices bounce back,

the economic hit would be disruptive.

The answer is for governments to smooth prices by adjusting the tax on fuel. When prices are low, like now, a higher gas tax would barely be noticed.

Almost painlessly, it would raise revenues to pay for tax cuts elsewhere – while maintaining the incentive for energy efficiency and keeping OPEC on its heels.

If and when prices go back up, governments can soften the blow to their economies by lowering the tax.

In addition, keeping the price of gas to consumers both relatively stable and sufficiently high would give carmakers an incentive to boost investment in electric vehicles, making them cheaper and more reliable.

The cartel’s troubles are well worth exploiting.

An OPEC crisis would be a terrible thing to waste.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

15

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

Holiday Hours

Mon–Fri 10 AM – 8 PM, Sat 10 AM - 6 PM & Sun 11 AM - 5 PM

Page 16 • PlanitKane.com

Thursday, December 17, 2015

‘Scrooge’s Christmas’ Holiday production hits Playhouse 38 stage in Geneva

By CHRIS CASEY ccasey@shawmedia.com GENEVA – If someone were to put together a list of the most well-known Christmas grouches, Ebenezer Scrooge would have to be right up their with the Grinch – though both seem to enjoy the holiday in the respective conclusions to their stories.

Playhouse 38 in Geneva just had its opening weekend of the musical “Scrooge’s Christmas” and will have additional shows – with limited tickets available – this coming weekend.

For those unfamiliar with Scrooge’s story, he is a man not amused by Christmas – at least not until he is visited by three ghosts on the night of Christmas Eve: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future. The ghosts eventually make Scrooge realize that he is unhappy with how he’s lived his life and also the way he’s treated others.

With a cast that features as many as 20 people, including replacements, and a smaller-sized stage, “Scrooge’s Christmas” has really taught its performers a thing or two about stage presence.

Helen Johnson, 17, and Quinn Beier, 8, are two local performers, both from Geneva. Johnson has been in a number of productions and talked of the preparation that went into “Scrooge’s Christmas.”

“We’ve been rehearsing and going over things for about two months,” said Johnson, who has three roles, including the Ghost of Christmas Past. “It’s different than a bunch of the past shows I’ve done here, whether it’s having the one main set instead of flipping them around between scenes or having a larger cast, but it’s been fun. We started with two rehearsals a week, then doing

Photos by Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

ABOVE: Cast members rehearse the play “Scrooge’s Christmas” at Playhouse 38 in Geneva. TOP: John Jepson of Hoffman Estates (right) plays Ebenezer Scrooge and Helen Johnson of Geneva plays the Ghost of Christmas Past in the show. ment was through the roof for getting the performances underway.

“It’s great to see everything finally come to fruition with all of the special Remaining “Scrooge’s Christmas” effects and things like that,” Pivaronas performances will take place at 7 p.m. Frisaid. “It’s been a super challenge putting day, Dec. 18, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, all of it together, but it’s a very exciting and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at Playhouse feeling knowing that it’s finally here.”

38, 524 W. State St. (lower level), Geneva.

Beier, who plays the ever-popular Tickets cost $10 each and are available in character of Tiny Tim, has been in several Playhouse 38 productions, advance at the Sunset Community Center, including “Robin Hood,” “Alice in Won710 Western Ave, Geneva. Call 630-232derland,” “Cinderella” and “The Jungle 4542 or visit genevaparks.org for more Book.” information.

Pivaronas said Beier – among several younger performers – has worked extremely hard to get prepared for the Jepson still does his fair share of, shows. Although it took time to mem“Bah, humbug!” shouts, but there is add- orize lines and remember positioning ed comedy from him and others, such on the stage, Beier said his experience as the character Bob Cratchett, who is made him want to continue. played by by David Hodge.

“It can be hard sometimes,” Beier Because of all the hard work and said. “It can be complicating, but after I strenuous hours that Pivaronas had did one show here, I didn’t want to stop. seen her cast and crew put in, her excite- It’s fun, and I like doing the shows.”

If you go

read-throughs more often, and then it’s picked up with the shows nearing. It’s a lot of work, but it’s been great. Everyone here is great.”

Johnson’s mother, Jami Johnson, also is in the show – her first alongside her 17-year-old daughter.

While the well-known character of Scrooge – played in the Geneva production by John Jepson – is known to be more of a frightening character in other adaptations of the story (as are the ghosts), director Lisa Pivaronas of Bartlett said her team has made those characters more child-friendly.

17

EVENTS

‘THE NUTCRACKER’ – SUNSET DANCE ACADEMY WINTER RECITAL

WHEN: 12:30 Sunday, Dec. 20 WHERE: Geneva High School auditorium, 416 McKinley Ave., Geneva COST/INFO: Celebrate the holiday season with a performance from Sunset Dance Academy as it presents “The Nutcracker.” (Note – there also is a 3:30 p.m. show, but it has sold out.) Tickets cost $8. For more information or to buy tickets, call 630-232-4542 or visit genevaparks.org.

3

2

PHEASANT RUN RESORT’S ‘CHRISTMAS KIDS’ PACKAGE

IDES OF MARCH CHRISTMAS SHOW

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 WHERE: Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles COST/INFO: Tickets to the Ides of March Christmas show start at $39. For more information or to buy tickets, visit oshows.com or call 630-9627000.

Photo provided

BLUEGRASS HOLIDAY PARTY AND CHILI DINNER

5

4

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 WHERE: Sugar Grove Community Center, 51 Main St., Sugar Grove COST/INFO: The Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association is inviting the public to its annual holiday party. Attendees can eat chili while enjoying live bluegrass music. Bring a dish to pass (non-alcoholic beverages and fried chicken will be provided). Non-member cost is $20 and includes a membership. Band sign-up will begin at 10 a.m. the chili judging will begin at 3:45 p.m.; and dinner will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. For information, visit nibaweb.org or call 630-4664539.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 19 WHERE: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles COST/INFO: Continue a tradition or begin a new one with a holiday package deal from Pheasant Run Resort. This package is for Saturday, Dec. 19, only, when there will be food, gifts, a visit from Santa Claus and more. The package starts at $169 and includes an overnight stay (two adults, two children), four vouchers for a children-inspired holiday buffet, a gingerbread-house activity, ornament-decorating activity and more.

For additional details or to make a reservation, visit pheasantrun.com or call 630-584-6300.

‘SING-ALONG WITH SANTA!’

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 WHERE: Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles COST/INFO: This interactive show for the whole family features Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and a score of elves.

Along with viewing the play, the audience can participate in singing holiday songs and can visit with Santa.

Tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for children ages 16 and younger. For details or to buy tickets, visit steelbeamtheatre.com or call 630-587-8521.

Photo provided

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

1

Photo provided

Planit Kane | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

DO O T S G 5 THIN UND O R A & IN TY N U O C KANE

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

18

Taylor Street Pizza (Wasco Location Only)

$20 Voucher for $10 Valid at Wasco location only. Must purchase voucher at www.PlanitSave.com to receive discount.

See voucher for complete details.

it’s a

B! GDEA L

www.PlanitSave.com

adno=0359071

experience that can’t be missed. From celebrations to preparations, downtown St. Charles is your holiday destination for unique dining, boutique shopping and social gatherings.

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Downtown St. Charles offers an authentic holiday

19

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

Downtown St. C

ha rle s

...

Dis

cov

r u o y er

e Side! v i t s e F

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| Planit Kane

20

Questions? Email planitkanenews@shawmedia.com Restaurant reviews

A good first impression at Tavern in the Hills There’s good food at a number of restaurants, but it tastes even better when you feel welcome and at home.

Tavern in the Hills, located at 40W188 Campton Crossings in Campton Hills, has the perfect combination of taste and experience.

From the moment my dinner companion and I walked in the doors, we felt welcome, starting with our host. He greeted us immediately upon walking in, seated us and told us our server would be right with us, which he was.

We were seated across from a small fireplace – as well as one of the several big screen TVs – inside of the restaurant, which was decorated with holiday stockings and had feel-good Christmas music playing through the speakers.

Our server continued the good overall first impression, taking our drink orders and bringing them in a timely manner. After asking him whether he had any recommendations, he suggested a couple that caught our eyes.

Shaw Media photo

The Tavern Burger is served at Tavern in the Hills in Campton Hills.

My dinner companion went with the Tavern Burger ($10.95), and I went with one of the signature pastas – the Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta ($13.95) – and added chicken (for an extra $3).

The Tavern Burger is a half-pound Black Angus beef patty topped with applewood

smoked bacon, mushrooms and Swiss cheese on a pretzel roll. All burgers come with lettuce and tomato, and are served with tater tots. My dinner companion added homemade onion strings to the burger.

“The burger was large in portion, as I had plenty left-

over for a second meal,” my dinner companion said. “All of the ingredients were very fresh, while the onion strings added that perfect amount of extra flavor. The burger tasted great and, with our experience, I would definitely go back for another meal.”

My Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta had the perfect amount of alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese and diced pieces of grilled chicken. The outside of the plate was coated lightly in Parmesan cheese, which gave it a unique look and extra flavor, if I needed it.

Throughout the meal, our server checked in on us the perfect amount, refilling my lemonade, which was delicious, and my dinner companion’s ice water.

I expected nothing less from our host as he asked how our meal tasted, followed by wishing us happy holidays.

You never want to leave a restaurant forgetting its name or feeling like you didn’t eat enough. Neither was the case in our experi-

If you go What: Tavern in the Hills, 40W188 Campton Crossing Drive, Campton Hills Hours: Open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Info: Visit tavernhills.com or call 630-549-0537 ence at Tavern in the Hills, and I expect to be back for future visits.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle.

The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a different restaurant about once a month and then reports on the experience.

If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

On the hunt for premium California wines Well, my partner at Likwid Assets, John White, and I are preparing for our latest trip to California in a couple weeks in our quest to find limited-production, premium California wines that we can export to our newfound partners in Hong Kong and China.

As I learned during my 35 years in the wine industry – working at Gallo, Franciscan, Kendall-Jackson and Beringer – such wines can be very hard to find. We have to travel to Napa and Sonoma to find “boutique” wines while the tourists are at home for the holidays. Then, the winemakers will have time to talk with us about the harvest, fermentation, yeast, oak-barrel aging,

THE WINE DETECTIVES Tom Minnerick their wine-making techniques, and the “gems” that end up in bottles as a result.

The key is to locate a winery that produces 200 to 1,000 cases of wine that offer consumers suburb quality, good value and isn’t sold in vast quantities to commercial entities – grocery or liquor store chains. But, that’s why we’re “The Wine Detectives.”

Most of the wine consumers in China and Hong Kong are familiar with big, high-pow-

ered red wines that would turn your teeth purple. The British brought French Bordeaux to Hong Kong long before they relinquished governance in 1997 to China. And high-end Napa cabernets are well-known among the wine snobs everywhere in the world. But these wines can be very expensive and difficult to purchase because of their high demand and lack of availability.

When I was co-owner of a distributor in Chicago, Distinctive Wine & Spirits, most of the highly-rated wines were allocated, and we couldn’t get enough of them to sell. As a result, John and I are determined to convince consumers in the Far East that we can source

excellent quality wines, without the necessity of paying an arm and a leg for imagery, notoriety and scores. So, we have to be persistent wine sleuths.

Of course, I’m keen to make this trip to California before my upcoming shoulder surgery. I guess I’ve hoisted too many cases of wine and filled too many glasses over the years. And lugging heavy suitcases on and off airplanes, trains and taxis in China and Hong Kong on our last couple of trips didn’t help.

But, the last trip was interesting – we met new distributors at The Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Fair; tasted some really good wines with perspective clients; visited Temple Street Market, where I bought the

grandkids jade earrings (don’t worry, they were small) and some unusual shirts featuring dragons; and, while walking on the sidewalks, I discovered I was the tallest person around at 6 feet. I could see ahead for blocks because I was looking over the top of everyone.

Enough for now, but I’ll keep you posted on our trip to wine country and what we discover.

• Tom Minnerick is an Elgin resident who has spent 35 years working in the wine industry.

“The Wine Detectives” column will run sporadically in the Kane County Chronicle over the next few months. Feedback can be sent to planitkanenews@ shawmedia.com.

Contact Sports Editor Kevin Druley at 630-845-5347 or at kdruley@shawmedia.com.

CLEARING OUT STEEL PREPARE FOR EXTENDED HOLIDAY HIATUS /22

Sean King for Shaw Media

Goaltender John Lethemon clears a puck from the boards. The Steel begin a 10-game road trip Friday.

ST. CHARLES NORTH SWIMMING AND DIVING Michael Burke is off to a quick start for the North Stars with a couple of first-place finishes this season, but he’s more about the journey than the medals. PAGE 23

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

SPORTS

21

Have some sports news?

CHICAGO STEEL NOTES

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| SPORTS

22

Break time looms

Holiday hiatus precedes 10-game trip

By KEVIN DRULEY kdruley@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Steel defenseman Matt Kiersted doubles as a West Aurora student by day, one of three team members who technically call themselves Blackhawks, too.

Kiersted estimates he wears Steel apparel on two of his five shortened school days, a maneuver that eventually piqued his peers’ curiosity.

“They know we play hockey for the Chicago Steel, but they don’t really know what it is, so we have to explain it to them when they ask,” said Kiersted, 17. “I think most of the kids are starting to realize what it is now, and some have came to the games.”

The trio hopes the student body can maintain a long memory. Saturday’s 6-0 loss to Green Bay marked the Steel’s final game at Fox Valley Ice Arena until Muskegon (Michigan) visits on Jan. 17, a span of more than a month.

Such lulls and scheduling quirks sprouted elsewhere for the Steel, who relocated from Bensenville before the season.

The USHL club played seven home games – or nearly 25 percent of its 30-game regular season allotment – in November. After road games Friday (Green Bay) and Saturday (Bloomington), there’ll be a 10-day, hiatus from games for the holidays.

“The break’s coming up soon,” defenseman Grant Gabriele said, “so you just want to finish it off strong.”

Extended time off allows the Steel’s American-born players and coaches to visit home, which also is an option for the team’s foreign contingent.

For many who played for the Steel in past seasons, the new, everyday surroundings also offer creature comforts.

“Moving here, I think it’s a better place for a living area than it was down in Bensen-

Sean King for Shaw Media

Steel defenseman Matt Kiersted (2) said the team is playing with an added sense of urgency with the holiday break looming. ville. I think all the guys like it here so far, too,” Kiersted said.

The Chicago-based USHL is in its 14th season and is the lone Tier 1 junior hockey league in the United States.

Making his move: Rough and tumble winger Johnny Walker, a 2015 Steel draftee, scored the shootout winner in his USHL debut Dec. 10.

Walker returned to Minot (North Dakota) of the North American Hockey League

this week – he knew his stint would be short – but nonetheless left the door open for a potential return the next time the roster is short.

“Just making a good first impression and getting some respect,” Walker said.

A 19-year-old Arizona State recruit, Walker was self-deprecating about the high slot move that netted the goal.

“I’m not a real skilled player,” he said, “so I’ve got to stick with what I’ve got, and

that’s about it.”

Although he called the shootout “not my favorite thing in hockey,” Steel coach Dan Muse hardly hesitated to insert Walker in the lineup against the Youngstown (Ohio) Phantoms.

It’s a product of visual data and gut feeling.

“As a staff, we have an idea based on what we’ve seen in past games, what we’ve seen in practice,” Muse said. “I think we also look at how

guys are playing. And then even sometimes you’re looking at how the flow of the game is going.”

Muse also consults assistant coach Peter Mannino, a former professional goaltender who had stints with the NHL’s New York Islanders, Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets.

“He has an idea, too, a feel for certain goalies where certain shooters might be better in that situation,” Muse said.

ST. CHARLES NORTH BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING

By CHRIS CASEY ccasey@shawmedia.vom

See DIVING, page 24

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

ST. CHARLES – Michael Burke finds similarities when looking at his schoolwork and diving.

For one, he excels at both and loves doing so. The St. Charles North senior takes pride while in the classroom Michael and the pool, Burke and has given himself an opportunity to do some special things in both in his last goaround as a North Star.

But Burke doesn’t see his rigorous academic schedule as something difficult, nor does he see perfecting his dives in that way.

“It kind of comes fairly easily to me,” Burke said.

“I enjoy doing both so much and I feel like when you enjoy doing something as much as this, it makes you relax and have fun doing it.”

While his expectations for himself always remain high, Burke wants to make sure he enjoys his senior year, whether it be in the pool or during his time serving as a leading student in Advanced Placement Chemistry.

It seems a little surprising to Burke, who placed 17th in his second trip to the IHSA swimming and diving state meet last season, that he’s come as far as he has since he began diving at age 9.

“I came in at North and really knew very little about it or what was expected from me,” Burke said. “Once sophomore (year) came around and I went to state, that kind of propelled me into last year and now this year.

Between practicing with my club team and coaches, I’ve gotten to the level I need to be at.”

North coach Rob Rooney said there isn’t a level for measuring the amount of growth he has seen since

Burke’s freshman year, although growth doesn’t always mean accomplishments in Rooney’s eyes.

However, Rooney would not be surprised to see Burke make a bid to be the first North Stars’ diver to earn a medal at the state meet.

“He’s grown into a pretty well-rounded diver, a great teammate and a very driven young man in and out of the pool,” Rooney said. “There’s no doubt that he’s got the talent, but I really believe he’s trying to make the most of his senior year by trying to be more assertive with who he is. We haven’t had a diver score at the state meet and I think it would be a fitting exclamation point to his four years here.”

During his time with DuPage Diving Academy, Burke has constantly worked in the high school offseasons on perfecting elements of dives – with Neuqua Valley diving coach Gerry Petit – that he knows will be crucial to helping him succeed. His primary goal is something more important than earning a medal this season.

He was happy with his finish last season, but it also meant there was another level to reach.

“I like to compete with the top tier guys and I think I can,” Burke said. “It would be awesome to medal, but there’s no real pressure to do that for me. It’s more important for me to be at that level and enjoy the progress I’ve made than earning a medal.”

Whether or not Burke has cared about earning medals, he’s placed first in two of North’s first three diving meets, as well as a secondplace finish at the Glenbrook North Diving Invite last weekend.

Rooney saw his girls team take home the first piece of hardware for either swimming program at North with its third-place finish at state

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Burke takes diving studiously

23

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| SPORTS

24

PREP SCHEDULE

BURLINGTON CENTRAL HALL OF FAME

Today Wrestling: Geneva at Batavia, St. Charles North at Elgin, St. Charles East at Streamwood, Morris at Kaneland, 5:30 p.m.

Boys swimming: St. Charles East at West Chicago, 5 p.m.

Boys bowling: Geneva at St. Charles North, 4 p.m.

Girls bowling: Larkin at Geneva, St. Charles North at South Elgin, Glenbard East at St. Charles East, 4 p.m.

Girls gymnastics: Geneva at Lake Forest quad, 6 p.m.

Friday Boys basketball: Geneva at Batavia, St. Charles North at Elgin, St. Charles East at Streamwood, St. Francis at Marmion, North Boone at Burlington Central, 7 p.m.

Girls basketball: Geneva at Batavia, 5:30 p.m.; Elgin at St. Charles North, Streamwood at St. Charles East, 7 p.m.

Wrestling: Batavia at Glenbrook South Invite, 3:30 p.m.; Burlington Central at Harvard Tournament, 4 p.m.; Kaneland at Montini, 5:30 p.m.

BC announces Athletic HOF inductees

WHAT TO WATCH NHL Edmonton at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m., CSN NBA Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7 p.m., TNT Houston at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m., TNT NFL Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 7:25 p.m., NFL COLLEGE BASKETBALL Marshall vs. West Virginia, at Charleston, W. Va., 6 p.m., ESPNU COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL Women, NCAA Division I Tournament, semifinal, Texas vs. Minnesota, at Omaha, Neb., 6 p.m., ESPN2 Women, NCAA Division I Tournament, semifinal, Kansas vs. Nebraska, at Omaha, Neb., 8:30 p.m., ESPN2 SOCCER FIFA Club World Cup, semifinal, FC Barcelona vs. Guangzhou Evergrande, at Yokohama, Japan, 4:30 a.m., FS1

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE BURLINGTON – The Burlington Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame recently announced its 2016 inductees, a group that will gain enshrinement at 6 p.m. April 10 at Elgin Community College.

For ticket information, call the Central athletic department at 847-464-6038.

Here’s a look at the inductees: • Shane Burke: A 2010 grad-

uate, Burke was a four-time sectional wrestling qualifier, a state qualifier and holds the program’s career record for wins with 127. He was also a two-time national qualifier as a member of Team Illinois.

• Josh Gminski: A 2005 graduate, Gminski was a multisport standout. He played football all four years, helping the Rockets to a 32-10 record and four-straight playoff appear-

Burke plans to dive in college • DIVING

Continued from page 23 last month, and he knows points from Burke at sectionals and state could really prove vital for bringing home another.

“Diving is a niche and we are very fortunate to have Michael as a diver,” Rooney said. “I wish we had more divers, to be honest. He is an integral part of what we hope to accomplish this year.

That’s a big piece of the puzzle if you have a diver that is at that level of competition, which I believe Michael is.”

Whether or not Burke becomes the first North diver to score points at the state meet, Rooney doesn’t expect his final high school meet to be the last time Burke dives competitively. Burke confirmed that he plans to dive in college, but has not made a decision on where. Burke will get a chance to show Petit how far he’s come, as well, at Friday’s Neuqua Valley Diving Invite.

ances. He was also a two-time state qualifier in wrestling as well as a state track qualifier in the shot put. Gminski later played football at Air Force.

• Stephanie Holthus: Holthus led the Rockets girls volleyball team to a Class 3A state runner-up finish in 2008, her junior year. She later starred at Northwestern, where she became the Wildcats’ alltime kills leader (1,797) and was named all-Big Ten three straight times. She was also a two-time member of the U.S. Junior National team.

• Austin Jarvis: A 2010 graduate, Jarvis was the catcher on Central baseball’s 2009 sectional finalist team and led the team to a 32-3 record in 2010.

He ranks first on the school’s all-time triples list and is second in career batting average, hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. Jarvis started behind the plate for Bradley for four seasons. As a junior, he was

named to the Johnny Bench watch list for the best catchers in NCAA Division I. • Erica Maisto: Recently named the Rockets’ varsity softball coach, the 2008 graduate holds the school’s career record for pitching wins (76) and tied the record for wins in a season with 27. She had 547 career strikeouts and only 46 walks and threw 50 career shutouts. Maisto also golfed for Central and had a collegiate softball career at Upper Iowa University.

• Cameron Ostrowski: A 2010 graduate, Ostrowski competed in boys track and field and soccer. He finished second at the Class 2A state track finals in the high jump in 2010 before going on to Iowa State, where he shined as a three-time all-American and was the 2012 Big 12 Conference champion in the high jump.

• Kayla Oranger: One of the key cogs of the Rockets’ third-

place state softball team in 2009, Oranger was a threetime all-state shortstop. She holds the school record for career hits (212), runs scored (177) and stolen bases (159), all which rank in the top 15 in IHSA history. Oranger went on to a four-year career at Texas-El Paso.

• Molly Turk: Helped the Rockets girls volleyball team to a second-place finish in the 2008 Class 3A state finals when she had over 700 assists for the season. Earned all-state honors as a senior, and also was named honorable mention All-America. Also competed in basketball at Central before going on to a volleyball career at Northern Iowa.

field staff “any day now.” The Cougars are set to begin their 26th season of Midwest League baseball in Geneva on April 7, hosting Clinton at 6:30 p.m. The Cougars are slated to play 12 home games in April.

com. If paying by check, make the check payable to Batavia High School or Batavia boosters and return to the Batavia athletic office by Jan. 15. For information, contact Julie Stuttle at julie. stuttle@bps101.net.

Batavia plans turf fundraiser

Rosary offers girls basketball shooting camp

•1952-53 football teams:

Both squads went undefeated and won Rainbow Conference championships back when high school football was played as a six-man sport.

SPORTS BRIEFS ‘Meet the Diamondbacks’ event set for Jan. 29

GENEVA – The Cougars will welcome their soon-to-be-announced 2016 field staff and organizational brass when the club hosts a “Meet the Diamondbacks” hot stove event at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Jan. 29.

Admission is $49, and includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and draft beer. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a speakers series and question and answer session to start at 7.

On the following day, Jan. 30, the Cougars will host a free baseball coaches clinic from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the ballpark’s upper deck level. Instructors from the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations will lead various seminars, and the Cougars will provide coffee and donuts for attendees.

For information on either event, call the Cougars at 630-2328811. “Meet the Diamondbacks” tickets are available by phone or online at kccougars.com.

Cougars general manager Curtis Haug said Tuesday the club expected to learn of the 2016

BATAVIA – Batavia High School and the Batavia Boosters are set to host Tee Off for Turf, a fundraiser for the school’s effort to bring a new turf surface to BHS, from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at Topgolf Naperville, 3211 Odyssey Court.

Cost is $75 per person or $450 for a group of six. The day includes golf, a satellite cash bar, bottomless soda, iced tea and water, and a catered food spread featuring chicken and beef sliders. A 50/50 auction also is planned, and various sponsorships are available. The facility offers numerous televisions tuned to the NFL playoffs and other sporting events.

Those interested and wishing to pay by credit card can visit www.TeeOffForTurf.ezregister.

AURORA – Rosary High School, 901 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora, will host Holiday Hoops, a basketball shooting camp for girls in fifth through eighth grades, Dec. 22 and 23.

Rosary’s coaching staff and players will present the camp, which operates from 1 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday and from 8 to 11 a.m.

Dec. 23. Cost is $35 for those who register in advance and $45 at the door. To register, visit rosaryhs.com/holiday_hoops.

Send us your scores

High school coaches wishing to report results of varsity sports may email sportsdesk@ kcchronicle.com, fax to 630-4441641 or call one of two numbers: 630-845-5347 or 630-845-5382.

– Kane County Chronicle

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL NOTES

25

Frazier denies Illinois report:

According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, Northern Illinois athletic director Sean Frazier is being vetted as a possible candidate for the AD position at Illinois.

However, according to the Northern Illinois sports infor-

Broncos racking up play count: Boise State has run

more plays than its opponent in 11 of its 12 games this season.

The only game that the Broncos didn’t was their 40-23 win over San Jose State.

They have run 10 plays or more compared with their opponent in eight of the games, including a whopping 114-52 in a loss to New Mexico. Despite the high play count, Carey said Boise State doesn’t necessarily run a high-tempo offense all of the time.

“They control the tempo, so at times they will play fast, at times they won’t,” Carey said. “That’s what happens when you look at numbers, you don’t get a true feel for things.”

In that game against New Mexico, freshman quarterback Brett Rypien attempted 74 passes, completing 40 of them for 503 yards.

“Everybody keeps saying he’s going to be really good but from my eye, he is really good. There is no waiting,” Carey said of Rypien, who was the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.

Looking to mix it up: Since

“Our mindset is a little different this time. If it’s broke, you have to fix it. ... We haven’t liked how we’ve ended our season the last few times. It’s going to take a mighty effort, but we’re focused on going out there and doing what we need to do to put ourselves in a position we want to be in the fourth quarter.”

to put ourselves in a position we want to be in the fourth quarter.”

Carey said he’s handling the schedule differently this year and calling it a little more businesslike. However, that didn’t stop the Huskies from having a little fun at the end of practice Monday. After the team came together, Carey allowed the defense to play on offense against the NIU offense for one drive.

After a pair of miscues pushed them back, senior safety turned quarterback

Marlon Moore found senior Paris Logan for a long gain.

On the following play, Moore, who played quarterback in high school, connected with sophomore cornerback Shawun Lurry on a fade and Lurry ran the rest of the way for a touchdown – much to the delight of the Northern Illinois defense.

“He doesn’t know our cadence, though,” Carey laughed about Moore’s touchdown pass. “(We wanted them to) have fun. Sometimes football can become a grind.”

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

DeKALB – Northern Illinois football coach Rod Carey had plenty of praise for Boise State on Tuesday.

With the two Group of 5 powers preparing to square off in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23, Carey had fond words for the Broncos, who are making their 14th consecutive bowl appearance.

“Boise is the benchmark for the Group of 5 teams,” he said. “What a great opportunity to play a team like that.

That in itself should excite you. We have a ton of respect for them and how they’ve done it and how they go about it. It’s fun to watch and it’ll fun to compete against them.”

Since 2010, Northern Illinois has more overall wins (65-18, .783 percent), but Boise State (63-15, .808) has a higher winning percentage. While the Huskies’ reign has come this decade, the Broncos (8-4 overall, 5-3 in Mountain West) have had 18 winning seasons in a row – which is the second-longest active streak in the nation, behind Virginia Tech (21).

“Boise is exactly what you’d expect Boise to be – really, really good football team in all three phases,” Carey said.

mation department, Frazier said he is not a candidate and has not spoken with Illinois.

Frazier is in his third year at Northern Illinois.

Rod Carey Northern Illinois football coach taking over as the head coach, Carey has lost all three bowls he’s appeared in – falling to Florida State (Orange Bowl), Utah State (Poinsettia Bowl) and Marshall (Boca Raton Bowl).

“Our mindset is a little different this time,” Carey said. “If it’s broke, you have to fix it. ... We haven’t liked how we’ve ended our season the last few times. It’s going to take a mighty effort, but we’re focused on going out there and doing what we need to do

adno=0359833

By JESSE SEVERSON jseverson@shawmedia.com

Come to Rascals for Sunday & Monday Football Games

Starting September 13th!

Halftime Buffet for $5.00 (Bar Only)

Sunday 12:00 & 3:00 Games and Monday Night Games 207 S. Third St. • Geneva 331-248-8959

www.rascalstavern.com

SANTA’S SERVICE SPECIAL

We will be serving items from our menu.

Food will come out at the start of the halftime and will be taken down at the start of the second half.

We will also have a Bloody Mary Bar & Beer Specials!

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Carey lauds Boise St. profile

24

$

.95

Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Multi-Point Check, Battery Performance Review, & Brake Inspection

- MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! BuyAtRiverFront.com - 630-448-8144

*Must present at time of write-up. Includes up to 5 quarts of oil. Synthetic extra. Price plus tax and disposal fee. Exp. 12/31/15

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

26

Dear Dr. K: I struggle

ASK DOCTOR K Anthony L. Komaroff hygiene” habits to help you get some shuteye: • Stay away from stimulants. Avoid caffeinated beverages after early afternoon.

• Don’t nap if you can avoid it. If you can’t stay awake, limit yourself to a 15- to 20-minute afternoon nap.

• Exercise regularly, but not within a few hours of bedtime.

• Set a sleep schedule.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, no matter how much sleep you’ve gotten.

• Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary. Reserve it for sleep, intimacy, and restful activities such as meditation and reading for pleasure.

Keep it cool, dark and quiet.

• Don’t watch the clock. Watching the sleepless minutes pass makes it harder to fall back to sleep. Turn the clock face so you can’t see it.

• Establish a relaxing routine before bedtime.

Meditate, take a warm shower or listen to quiet music.

I know that some of my patients find advice like this to be simplistic.

Basically, they are looking for a pill that makes them sleep like a baby every night, without side effects. If there were such a pill, I’d prescribe it, but there isn’t.

The sleep hygiene habits I recommend really do work. Many of my patients have told me: “Well, I have to tell you I was dubious, and it didn’t happen immediately. But I’m definitely sleeping better, so thanks.”

• Write to Dr. Komaroff at askdoctork.com, or Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.

Dr. Wallace: I’m 19 and dating a guy who is 23. He has many good qualities and one very bad one. He drinks too much. There are times I have thought of getting married to him and other times I want to dump him because I think he might become an alcoholic.

One good thing is that he is employed and he has a college degree.

I’ve discussed this issue with him, but he laughs it off, saying he can control the alcohol. He might be right, but he still drinks a lot. My parents don’t drink and neither do I, so I don’t know much about alcoholism. I would really appreciate knowing the symptoms of beginning alcoholism.

It’s getting to the point that I’m having second thoughts about having him for my husband. – Nameless, Monmouth, Illinois Nameless: According to the

National Council on Alcoholism, the early danger signs of alcoholism include: 1. Feeling that parties or other festive occasions aren’t complete without a couple of drinks.

2. More frequent use of drinking to “relieve” tension and fatigue and “get over” disappointment, frustration and quarrels at home or work.

3. Ability to handle more alcohol than others and a need to have a “few extras” when drinking with others.

4. Beginning of blackouts;

’TWEEN 12 & 20 Robert Wallace parts of the previous evening cannot be remembered even though the individual did not pass out.

5. Drinking on a regular basis, but denying that a drinking problem exists.

Alcohol has destroyed far, far too many families. You’re wise to be wary of your boyfriend’s drinking. Don’t risk allowing alcohol to destroy your future. Give him a choice: alcohol or you. It won’t take long to find out whether he controls his drinking, or it controls him.

Dr. Wallace: I am shocked that you advised a young boy who was being bullied by another boy to strike back and to “punch the bully in the nose.” Are you not aware that violence is never the way to solve a problem? Problems are solved with love, open communication and compromise.

Please explain your philosophy of using violence to solve problems. I usually feel that your responses to teens are fair and compassionate. Were you having a bad day when you advised fighting to solve a problem? -- Olivia, Reno, Nev. Olivia: When love, open communication and compromise fail, there are times when

a person must simply defend himself. This is the basis for my philosophy on being bullied: Use the least amount of fighting possible to eliminate suffering at the hands of a bully, who is nothing but a coward with a lot of bluster. But defend yourself by getting in a few good punches. It’s the only “language” that many bullies understand.

Dr. Wallace: What’s the more serious teen problem, alcohol or drugs? I’m doing a paper and need all the help I can get.

An A on this paper will result in nothing lower than a B for the course. I’ll be forever grateful if you help me. I’m a C student and an A or B in this class will be very handy. –

Andy, San Antonio, Tex. Andy: The publication Ca-

reers and Colleges conducted a poll of 11th- and 12th-graders attending both public and private high schools across the United States on the use of drugs and alcohol. The results: 88 percent felt alcohol abuse was a problem among students who attend their schools, while 78 percent said their peers actually used drugs. Interestingly, 82 percent of the teens surveyed said students can easily obtain drugs in their communities while 80 percent said minors can easily get alcohol.

• Email Dr. Robert Wallace at rwallace@galesburg.net.

HOROSCOPE

By EUGENIA LAST Newspaper Enterprise Association TODAY – Keep an open mind, but be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Putting your time and effort into what promises to bring the highest reward will help you stay on course with no regret. Refuse to let anyone take advantage of or mislead you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) – Initiate and welcome change in your personal life. Participate in activities that are adventurous and challenging.

Test your skills and be honest in your assessments and disclosures.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – Communication will be your vehicle to getting what you want. Conversations, emails and people you encounter while traveling or doing research will all contribute to your success. Love is highlighted.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – Consider what you have been doing and what you want to do with the rest of your life. Start to make the changes that will

bring you happiness and contentment.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) – Don’t give in to emotional manipulation. Overreacting, indulgence and taking on too much will hold you back. Concentrate on self-improvement and stabilizing and bettering your personal life.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) – Don’t divulge secrets or get involved in matters that could jeopardize your chance to advance. Look inward and evaluate what you want to change in order to be the best you can be.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) – Make plans to do something with peers or friends to celebrate the winding down of another year. Socializing with people who can influence your professional future will be in your best interest.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) – Don’t feel that you have to accommodate everyone. Do what you can, but don’t let your emotional or physical wellness suffer.

Bring about changes that will improve your life, not someone else’s.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) – You’ll come

up with some cost-effective ideas that will improve your surroundings and family ties. Planning a trip that will take you down memory lane will lift your spirits.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) – You’ve got what it takes to get things done. Don’t stop or wait for others to catch up. Set your sights on your destination and don’t stop until you reach your goal.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – You’ll be pulled in different directions. Don’t give in to peer pressure or get involved with people who have bad habits. Avoid indulgence, and recognize when someone is being deceptive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) – You can chase your dream if you put on your running shoes and stop waiting for things to come to you. Line up interviews for the new year or update your resume.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) – You’ll shine at any event or meeting you take part in, and will impress someone who has more to offer than you realize.

27

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

with insomnia. How can I overcome this problem without drugs or supplements?

Dear Reader: Insomnia is a common problem in which sleepless nights turn into fatigue-filled days. A form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) known as CBT for insomnia, or CBT-I, targets the root cause of insomnia without medication. This short-term talk therapy teaches people to change unproductive thinking and behaviors that get in the way of a good night’s sleep.

Researchers recently looked at 20 trials of CBT-I involving more than 1,100 people with ongoing insomnia. On average, people treated with CBT-I fell asleep almost 20 minutes faster and spent 30 fewer minutes awake during the night compared with people who didn’t undergo CBT-I. These improvements are as good as, or better than, those seen in people who take prescription sleep medications. And unlike medications, the effects of CBT-I last after the therapy ends.

CBT-I usually involves meeting with a therapist once a week for several weeks. A common recommendation from CBT-I is to get out of bed if you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes.

The idea is to associate your bed with relaxation and comfort, not frustration and worry.

Learning relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation is another key part of CBT-I. People with insomnia also tend to worry about the consequences of poor sleep. A CBT-I therapist can help you replace negative thoughts (“I’ll be too tired to work tomorrow!”) with more positive ones (“I usually do my work well, even when I feel tired”).

Here are some “sleep

He has a choice: Alcohol or you

ADVICE & HOROSCOPE | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Specialized therapy helps insomnia without drugs

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, December 17, 2015

28

COMICS Arlo & Janis

Garfield

Big Nate

Frank & Earnest

Crankshaft

Soup to Nutz

Frazz

The Born Loser

Dilbert

Rose Is Rose

Blondie

Pearls Before Swine

What’s the Secret?

Dear What’s : Talk to

The Argyle Sweater

Real Life Adventures

your father and tell him that unless you know the whole story about what Jack did that you will not be a part of the welcome home party. As a parent, you have a right to know whether your children could be in danger if they are around him and base your decision on it. Not that Jack might ever hurt your children, but should a rival gang member come after him, they might be collateral damage, as we so often read about these days. Better to err on the side of caution.

Dear Abby : I was divorced 10 years ago. My children are all over 21.

I talk with them once a month, but I contact my ex-wife only when there’s

DEAR ABBY Jeanne Phillips an issue that relates to our kids.

My ex now has cancer. When she dies, am I expected to attend the funeral? I would like to go as a show of respect to my kids. However, I don’t know how they would react because they know I have had little contact with their mother for the last decade.

The same question goes for my ex-mother-in-law, who is almost 90. I had a good relationship with her until the divorce, at which point she would no longer talk to me. Should I be there since she is the grandmother of my children? – Planning Ahead Dear Planning : I think your question may be somewhat premature.

Your relationship with your ex-wife and her mother may improve before anyone dies – and let’s admit it, YOU could be the one to go first.

If there is any chance that your presence at her mother’s funeral would upset your ex-wife, then I vote for skipping it and explaining the reason to your children. As to attending your ex’s funeral when (and IF) the time comes, remember that funerals are to comfort the living.

During one of your monthly conversations with your children – once your ex-wife is determined to be terminal and NOT before – ask what their wishes are and abide by them.

• Write to Dear Abby at www.dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

Dear Abby : After I became an adult and left home, my father remarried a woman with a grown son. “Jack” has been incarcerated for the past several years. I have only vague information about what he did, but I do know it was related to drugs and gang affiliation.

His mother insists he was “framed” and refuses to talk about the charges.

I haven’t been able to find any public information except that this wasn’t the first time he was arrested.

My father has hinted that there is a bigger story there, but he keeps quiet out of respect for his wife’s feelings.

Jack will be released soon, and my stepmom is already planning big family events for us to welcome him home. I have a wife and kids now, and I’m not sure I want them around an ex-con. At the same time, I don’t really know what happened, and I don’t want to start a family rift.

What should I do next? –

COMICS & ADVICE | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Murky circumstances of crime 29 cloud convict’s welcome home

Beetle Bailey

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

30

PUZZLES CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

BRIDGE by Phillip Alder

Lots of information to read through

CELEBRITY CIPHER

The following four books published

by Master Point Press are labeled “Intermediate/Advanced.” Each contains a lot of information on a specialized subject.

“Sixpack” by Allan DeSerpa is about Six Ace Roman Key Card Blackwood, which occurs when a partnership has bid and supported two suits. The six key cards are the four aces and both agreed-suit kings. There is also discussion of several bidding situations.

“Mastering Hand Evaluation” by Lawrence Diamond is self-explanatory.

It gives comprehensive coverage of the most well-known methods.

“Better Signalling Now” by Mark Horton is the third edition of a book first published in 1994. It covers all of the basic aspects of defense and several more advanced methods.

“Conventions Today” by Brian Senior gives the basics of many bidding styles (for example, better minor) and conventions, often with the author explaining his preferences.

This is one of the easier deals from Horton’s book. After that competitive auction, South is in three no-trump.

West leads the diamond king. How should East plan the defense?

South made a negative double to show four hearts. Then, looking fondly on her club queen, she bid three notrump, hoping to have nine runners on a spade lead.

For West to lead a diamond, not a spade (West surely couldn’t be void in spades), she has to have good diamonds.

East could encourage with the eight, but it is much better to overtake the king with the ace and return the jack. Here, the defenders take the first six tricks.

COMMUNITY

“Sam Got a Home for Christmas”

877-264-CLAS

CLASSIFIED

(2527)

Photo by: J. McCarthy

classified@shawsuburban.com KCChronicle.com/classified Upload your photos at

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

KCChronicle.com/myphotos

Old Original Movie Posters, SNOWBLOWER ~ TORO Not Reprints, Star Trek 1982, 21”, 5HP, 2 stage, 3 speed.

Against All Odds 83, Bachelor 1 pull to start, nice shape,$175.

Party 84, Pale Rider 85, Gung Ho 630-232-0183 86, Tequila Sunrise 88, Executive Decision 96, most 27 x 41, in Good to Excellent Condition, Great Christmas Present, $10.

American Girl Twins Double Text or Call 630-464-7049 Stroller – 2003, Retired, Great Condition - $45.

Original “Laverne & Shirley” 630-723-8441 1982 Hollywood Show Script Excellent Condition - $50.

630-845-3464

WANTED: Old Fishing Tackle New in the box Sony Bravia 48” Flat Screen TV, $400 Firm 630-715-0373

Buying old reels, lures, rods, motors, beer signs & tackle Up to $1000. Call anytime 630-981-7041 leave message

Electronic #RBTL13980, console offers 6 preset or custom workout programs, very good condition, hardly used. Users manual included, 250/cash only.

630-377-0693

Auto

Ford-Certified Diesel Specialists

Please send resume and a copy of your STARS Certifications to: paul.mills@ zimmermanford.com

Retoother ~ Foley

For saw filing, $100. also saw filing machines, call for details. 847-464-5543

Automotive Lube Technician

We offer Competitive Pay, Advancement Opportunities, a Team Atmosphere & Great Discounts.

Now offering Brakes & other Services we use an ASE accredited training program & provide paid training so no prior auto experience is necessary. Must have a valid Drivers License.

Jiffy Lube

1970 Lincoln Highway St Charles IL, 60174 (630) 513-1277

CHURCH SECRETARY

Small church in Big Rock. 15 hrs per week, mornings, Mon-Fri. Good computer & people skills necessary.

Send resume, employment history & 2 references to: Mail: Rev. Bill Riegle English Congregation UCC PO Box 156 Big Rock, IL 60511 Fax: 630-556-3001 Email: revriegs@gmail.com

Our Great Garage Sale Guarantee!

If it rains on your sale, we will run your ad again the next week for FREE!

Call 800-589-8237 or email:

classified@shawsuburban.com

Advertise here for a successful garage sale!

Call 815-455-4800

Playboy Puzzle from 1967, First Series Collector Cards and Old Calendars, $20 St. Charles.

Call or Text 630-464-7049 Vintage 1971 Joe Namath Corn Popper by Hamilton Beach, Still in Box & Working, Needs a Good Home! $10. St. Charles Call or Text 630-464-7049

Track 2 Mini Racer

Murray, motorized Racer.

3.5HP, excellent condition, $350/obo. 630-222-2853

7 Old Posters - Mickey from Fantasia, Spuds, Steve Dahl & Garry Meier, Crater Lake, 2 Black Light & a Bally Midway Pinball Insert, Christmas Present, $10 for All. Call or Text 630-464-7049 St. Charles Old Original Celebrity Pin Up Posters, Bo Derek, Farrah Fawcett, Loni Anderson (2), Heather Thomas (2), Honey Bears (2), and others, 9 total, $10 For All. Great Christmas Presents, Call or Text 630-464-7049 St. Charles Have a news tip or story idea?

Call us at 630-845-5355 or email editorial@kcchronicle.com

2012 Ford Focus Hatchback.

Sport Pkg. 1 non-smoker owner, Excellent Cond, 67K miles, $11,000 630-377-8879

Stained Glass Windows 2 leaded stained glass windows, wood frames solid, 27 x 18 and 43 x 27 amberglass $150 for pair obo 815-827-3692 before 9pm

PIANO Blond Wood, Upright, Krakauer brand. $200. Good Shape. 630-208-7460

Large Dog Crate, Great Condition no rust, Inside crate, 36W x 42H x 54L $100 630-723-8441

Christmas Tree

Artificial, green, approx 5 ft. $40/obo. 847-464-5543 Christmas Tree – Beautiful Blue Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree 7 ½' $25/obo.

630-421-0620

DEPT 56 Christmas in the City Series

Mrs. Stouffer's Candies, Bagel Bakery and Garden Gate House, $30/ea, Chez Monet & Jenny's Bookstore, $25/ea + additional accessories available, all in mint condition!

630-934-4040 Questions about your subscription?

We'd love to help.

Call 800-589-9363

Will BUY UR USED CAR, TRUCK, SUV,

MOST CASH

!!!!!!!!

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored

Cars

Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic/ Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari's, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang, Mopars

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

!!!!!!!!

Chronicle Classified 877-264-2527

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 based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of 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 tollfree telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

(Published in the Kane County Big CAB Chronicle on December 10, 17, 24, 2015) 1140465 located at: 1437 New York St, Aurora, IL 60506

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT KANE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Dated: December 4, 2015 /s/ John A. Cunningham Kane County Clerk

Case No. 2015 P 509

(Published in the Kane County IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Chronicle December 10, 17, 24, 2015) 1140475 (DECEDENT): DORIS M. WHITT PUBLICATION NOTICE INDEPENDET ADMINISTRATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

TO: CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS (ONLY)

ASSUMED NAME PUBLICATION NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of Public Notice is hereby Doris M. Whitt, who died on August given that on Friday, 20, 2015, a resident of Aurora, Illi- December 11, 2015 a cernois. tificate was filed in the office The Representative for the estate is: of the County Clerk of Kane Sandra K. Schmid, 130 Windsor County, Illinois, setting forth the names and addresses of Drive, Ephreta, PA 17522. all persons owning, conductMOTORCYCLES WANTED The Attorney for the estate is: ing and transacting the busiRichard T. Petesch, 70 S. Constitu- ness known as: tion Drive, Aurora, Illinois 60506.

Fioresi Films Claims against the estate may be filed on or before 06/07/16 located at: Claims against the estate may be 39W861 S Hathaway Lane, filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Geneva, IL 60134 Court, P.O Box 112, Geneva, IL 60134-0112 or with the Represen- Dated: December 11, 2015 tative, or both. Any claim not All makes, cash paid, reasonable. filed within that period is barred. /s/ John A. Cunningham Will pick-up.

630-660-0571 Copies of a claim filed with the Kane County Clerk Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the at- (Published in the Kane torney within 10 days after it has County Chronicle December been filed.

17, 24, 31, 2015) The estate will be administrated 1142863 without Court supervision unless an PUBLIC NOTICE interested party terminates independent supervision administration by IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE filing a petition to terminate under SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Article XXVIII 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4).

KANE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

815-575-5153

Powered by:

ZIMMERMAN FORD, St Charles

A-1 AUTO

WILL BEAT ANY QUOTE GIVEN!! $400 - $2000 “don't wait.... call 2day”!!

Treadmill/Reebok ACD2

g addresses of all persons owning, /s/ Emile Lamb conducting and transacting the Petitioner business known as:

BATAVIA GREEN MEADOWS

15 MR 001399 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION REGARDING NAME CHANGE

Richard T. Petesch Attorney for Executor

(Published in the Kane County Chronicle, December 10, 17, 24, Public notice is hereby given that 2015) 1140428 on the January 27, 2016, in 630-879-8300 Courtroom No. 110, of the Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third Street, Geneva, Illinois, at the hour of 9:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter CORTLAND 2BR, 1½ BA PUBLIC NOTICE as this matter may heard, a Petition Central A/C, nice yard, garage. will be heard in said Courtroom for Washer/dryer hook-up, $900/mo. the change of name of Emile ASSUMED NAME 815-761-5944 margaret Mckitric Lamb to Emile PUBLICATION NOTICE Margaret Theresa Leigh Spangler Buying? Selling? pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/21-101 et Public Notice is hereby given Renting? Hiring? seq. that on Friday, December 4, 2015 To place an ad, a certificate was filed in the office call 877-264-2527 Dated November 18, 2015 at St. of the County Clerk of Kane County, Kane County Chronicle Classified Charles, Illinois Illinois, setting forth the names and 1BR at $920, 2BR at $1060 3BR at $1400

In print • Online 24/7

Call to advertise 877-264-2527

PB Enterprises located at: 450 Airport Road Suite S-4 Elgin IL, 60123

/s/ John A. Cunningham Kane County Clerk (Published in the Kane County Chronicle December 10, 17, 24, 2015) 1140490

1

3

6

9

4

7

5

8

3

Handyman Service

4

7

3

1

5

6

8

6

GHNS #2717

2

6

6

2

9

2

4

8

1

5

8

3

7

8

1

7

2

5

2

9

4

9

4

1

9

5

4

7

3

1

630-879-5906

Craig Serving the Fox Valley for over 25 years Batavia

FIREWOOD UNLIMITED Fast Delivery

Mixed Hardwoods CBH & Mixed Oak Cherry or Hickory Birch

$130 fc $145 fc $165 fc $185 fc $220 fc

Stacking Available Taxes Not Included Fuel Charge May Apply For more information or ordering online visit. suregreenlandscape.com

630-876-0111 847-888-9999

5

3

1

5

8

2

7

9

9

3

7

1

4

6

7

2

4

6

3

5

8

8

3

7

9

6

1

5

6

4

8

1

9

2

7

9

6

2

5

4

8

3

9

2

5

6

4

7

3

1

3

1

8

9

2

5

6

4

6

4

7

1

3

8

9

2

To place an ad, Kane County Chronicle Classified call 877-264-2527 Call 877-264-2527 or Kane County Chronicle Classified KCChronicle.com

7

DON'T NEED IT? SELL IT FAST!

5

630-878-7816

Buying? Selling?

Renting? Hiring?

2

Mix Hardwoods $100 FC Oak $130 FC Free Local Delivery Stacking Available Wholesale Available

1

Fox Valley Tree Service & Firewood

8

Call Gary 847-888-3599

4

BOB EVANS FIREWOOD & MULCH

Serving W. Rt. 59, N. of I-88 &S. of Rt 176

Or place your ad online kcchronicle.com/ placeanad

2

7

847-334-5740 or 847-732-4014

bobevansfirewoodandmulch.com

Call to advertise 800-589-8237

2

5

We sell only the finest seasoned firewood!

Mixed Premium Hardwood $150 F/C Oak $160 F/C Cherry / Hickory $180 F/C

Be sure to include a photo of your pet, home, auto or merchandise.

4

5

Pictures increase attention to your ad!

1

7

Email: classified@ shawsuburban.com Fax: 815-477-8898 or online at: www.KCChronicle.com

3

8

Send your Classified Advertising 24/7 to:

7

1

Check us out online

www.KCChronicle.com

5

3

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! Cut your drug costs! $$SAVE $$!

50 Pills for $99.00.

FREE Shipping!

100% Guaranteed and Discreet.

CALL 1-800-873-7614

8

Jim Verhaeghe Seasoned Firewood

Home Improvements Carpentry Electrical Painting & Misc Farm Toy Auction Saturday December 26th 9am *650 Cataloged Lots* Diecast Tractors; Pedals; Precision; Smith Miller Trucks; MORE! 2601 Lakeland Blvd. Mattoon, IL Bauer Auction Service, LLC Catalog / Photos: www.bauerauction.com Stop OVERPAYING for Your Prescriptions!

Save up to 93%!

Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy service to compare prices and get $15.00 off your first prescription and FREE Shipping.

1-800-433-0482

6

8

Mixed Hardwoods (Oak, Hickory, Walnut, Cherry) $100.00 a face cord. Free local delivery.

Stacking available.

Dated: November 30, 2015

9

4

Public Notice is hereby given that on Monday, November 30, 2015 a certificate was filed in the office of the County Clerk of Kane County, Illinois, setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:

AT YOUR SERVICE

Hard

9

ASSUMED NAME PUBLICATION NOTICE

SUDOKU

2

PUBLIC NOTICE

Thursday, December 17, 2015 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

6

32 CLASSIFIED

3

4

6

5

2

9

8

6

2

9

8

1

3

7

9

3

1

7

4

6

5

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, December 17, 2015

CLASSIFIED 33

34 CLASSIFIED

Thursday, December 17, 2015 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

ANDERSON BMW

REICHERT CHEVROLET

TOM PECK FORD

2145 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

13900 Auto Mall Dr. • Huntley, IL

888/682-4485

815/338-2780

847/669-6060

www.andersoncars.com

www.reichertautos.com

360 N. Rte. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

MOTOR WERKS BMW

www.TomPeckFord.com

800/935-5913

2525 E. Main Street St. Charles, IL 60174

www.motorwerks.com

630/584-1800

407 Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

847-604-5000 www.KnauzBMW.com

CRYSTAL LAKE CHRYSLER

www.garylangauto.com

REICHERT BUICK

2145 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

815/338-2780 www.reichertautos.com

GURNEE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM

815/385-2100

www.st-charles.mercedesdealer.com

www.garylangauto.com

GARY LANG GMC

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

815/385-2100 www.garylangauto.com

ST. CHARLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

1611 East Main Street • St. Charles, IL

SUNNYSIDE COMPANY CHRYSLER DODGE Route 120 • McHenry, IL

815/385-2100

www.sunnysidecompany.com

815/385-7220

CLASSIC KIA

MOTOR WERKS HONDA Barrington & Dundee Rds. Barrington, IL

800-935-5913 www.motorwerks.com

O’HARE HONDA

River Rd & Oakton, • Des Plaines, IL

888-538-4492

425 N. Green Bay Rd. Waukegan/Gurnee, IL

847-CLASSIC (252-7742)

ST. CHARLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

1611 East Main Street • St. Charles, IL

(630) 513-5353 www.stcharlescdj.com

www.garylangauto.com

AL PIEMONTE CHEVROLET

GARY LANG MITSUBISHI 815/385-2100

CRYSTAL LAKE DODGE 5404 S. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

LIBERTYVILLE MITSUBISHI

847-CLASSIC (252-7742)

www.libertyvillemitsubishi.com

847/816-6660

7255 Grand Avenue • Gurnee

www.piemontechevy.com

www.gurneedodge.com

888/471-1219

www.oharehonda.com

CALL FOR THE LOWEST PRICES IN CHICAGOLAND

RAYMOND KIA

119 Route 173 • Antioch

LIBERTY NISSAN

920 S. Milwaukee Ave. • Libertyville, IL

847-680-8000 www.libertyautoplaza.com

888/682-4485 www.andersoncars.com

847-234-2800 www.knauzhyundai.com

LAND ROVER LAKE BLUFF

MOTOR WERKS PORCHE

GURNEE VOLKSWAGEN

847-604-8100

800/935-5913

847-855-1500

ROSEN HYUNDAI

375 Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

866/469-0114

www.knauzlandrover.com

771 S. Randall Rd. • Algonquin, IL

Barrington & Dundee Rds., Barrington, IL

www.motorwerks.com

www.rosenrosenrosen.com

PRE-OWNED MOTOR WERKS INFINITI

Barrington & Dundee Rds. • Barrington, IL

800-935-5913

847/587-3300 www.raychevrolet.com

BUSS FORD LINCOLN 111 S. Rte 31 • McHenry, IL

815/385-2000 www.busslincolnmchenry.com

KNAUZ NORTH

www.Gurnee V W.com

LIBERTY VOLKSWAGEN

920 S. Milwaukee Ave. • Libertyville, IL

847-680-8000 www.libertyautoplaza.com

2950 N. Skokie Hwy • North Chicago, IL

847-235-3800 www.knauznorth.com

www.motorwerks.com

BARRINGTON VOLVO 847/381-9400

BULL VALLEY FORD/ MERCURY

1460 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

800/407-0223 www.bullvalleyford.com

BUSS FORD

(866) 561-8676

815/385-2000

www.raymondchevrolet.com

6301 Grand Avenue • Gurnee, IL

300 N. Hough (Rt. 59) • Barrington, IL

RAYMOND CHEVROLET 118 Route 173 • Antioch, IL

ANDERSON VOLKSWAGEN 360 N. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

775 Rockland Road • Lake Bluff IL 60044 (Routes 41 & 176 in the Knauz Autopark)

815-459-4000

39 N. Rte. 12 • Fox Lake, IL

ST CHARLES TOYOTA.NET www.stcharlestoyota.net

www.libertyautoplaza.com

5220 Northwest Highway Crystal Lake, IL

RAY CHEVROLET

www.classicdealergroup.com

630/584-6655

847-680-8000

MARTIN CHEVROLET

www.martin-chevy.com

515 N. Green Bay Rd. Waukegan/Gurnee, IL

2651 E. Main St. • St. Charles, IL

920 S. Milwaukee Ave. • Libertyville, IL

www.clcjd.com

770 Dundee Ave. (Rt. 25) • Dundee, IL 847/426-2000

www.paulytoyota.com

CLASSIC TOYOTA/SCION

LIBERTY KIA

888/800-6100

GURNEE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM

815/459-7100 or 847/658-9050

www.garylangauto.com

KNAUZ HYUNDAI

200 N. Cook St. • Barrington, IL

815/385-2100

PAULY TOYOTA

1035 S. Rt. 31, One Mile South of Rt. 14 Crystal Lake, IL

1119 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL

www.raymondkia.com

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.Knauz-mini.com

www.classicdealergroup.com

(224) 603-8611

MOTOR WERKS CADILLAC

847-604-5050

1400 E. Dundee Rd., Palatine, IL

847/202-3900

www.EvanstonSubaru.com

409A Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.garylangauto.com

GARY LANG CHEVROLET

www.garylangauto.com

847/869-5700

KNAUZ MINI

ARLINGTON KIA IN PALATINE

www.arlingtonkia.com

www.gurneedodge.com

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.motorwerks.com

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

3340 Oakton St., Skokie

888/471-1219

www.stcharlescdj.com

800/935-5923

225 N. Randall Road, St. Charles

EVANSTON SUBARU IN SKOKIE

815/385-2100

7255 Grand Avenue • Gurnee

(630) 513-5353

GARY LANG CADILLAC

877/226-5099

www.gurneedodge.com

1107 S Rt. 31 between Crystal Lake and McHenry

www.clcjd.com

847/683-2424

815/385-2100

888/471-1219

7255 Grand Avenue • Gurnee

GARY LANG KIA

888/800-6100

206 S. State Street • Hampshire, IL

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

GARY LANG SUBARU

www.zimmermanford.com

5404 S. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

FENZEL MOTOR SALES

GARY LANG BUICK

MERCEDES-BENZ OF ST. CHARLES

ZIMMERMAN FORD

Barrington & Dundee Rds. • Barrington, IL

KNAUZ BMW

GURNEE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM

111 S. Rte 31 • McHenry, IL

www.bussford.com

ST. CHARLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

1611 East Main Street • St. Charles, IL

ANDERSON MAZDA

360 N. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

888/682-4485 www.andersoncars.com

(630) 513-5353 www.stcharlescdj.com

CRYSTAL LAKE JEEP

5404 S. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

888/800-6100 www.clcjd.com

KNAUZ CONTINENTAL AUTOS

409 Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

847-234-1700 www.Knauzcontinentalauto.com

PAULY SCION

1035 S. Rt. 31, One Mile South of Rt. 14 Crystal Lake, IL

815/459-7100 or 847/658-9050

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

THURSDAY EVENING DECEMBER 17, 2015 5:00

5:30

6:00

6:30

7:00

7:30

8:00

8:30

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

CLASSIFIED 35 12:00

12:30

CBS 2 News at CBS Evening CBS 2 News at Entertainment The Big Bang (:31) Life in (:01) Mom (N) 2 Broke Girls (N) Elementary Morland offers to pose CBS 2 News at (:35) The Late Show With Stephen (:37) The Late Late Show With Comics Un^ WBBM 10PM (N) (CC) Colbert (N) ’ leashed as a consultant. (N) (CC) James Corden ’ (CC) 5:00PM (N) ’ News/Pelley 6PM (N) (CC) Tonight (N) ’ Theory (N) ’ Pieces (N) ’ ’ (CC) ’ (CC) NBC5 News 5P NBC Nightly NBC5 News 6P Access Holly- How Murray Saved Christmas Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Running Wild With Bear Grylls NBC5 News 10P (:34) The Tonight Show Starring (:37) Late Night With Seth Meyers Last Call With % WMAQ (N) (CC) wood (N) (CC) ’ (CC) News - Holt (N) (CC) Carson Daly ’ Jimmy Fallon ’ (CC) Christmas ’ (CC) ’ (CC) “President Barack Obama” (N) ’ (N) (CC) ABC7 Eyewit- ABC World ABC7 Eyewit- Wheel of For- Disney Prep & Prep & Landing: Modern Family Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating ABC7 Eyewit- (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live ’ (CC) (:37) Nightline (12:07) Windy City Live Hosts Val _ WLS ness News (N) News ness News (N) ness News (N) tune (N) (CC) Landing (CC) Naughty vs. ’ (CC) (N) (CC) People of 2015 (N) ’ (CC) Warner and Ryan Chiaverini. ’ Everybody The Middle (CC) (4:00) WGN Evening News The Two and a Half Two and a Half iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Elvis Duran hosts the concert Whose Line Is It WGN News at Nine (N) ’ (Live) WGN News at Friends ’ (CC) Friends Chandler Everybody ) WGN day’s top stories. (N) (CC) Ten (N) (CC) Loves Raymond Loves Raymond (CC) Anyway? ’ Men ’ (CC) Men ’ (CC) in Tulsa. ’ event. (N) ’ (CC) Piano Guys at Red Rocks The The Foods of Chicago: A Delicious History Stories behind Chicago’s (:05) BBC World Nightly Busi- Chicago Tonight ’ Chicago Tonight (N) ’ Wild Kratts ’ Wild Kratts “Aye PBS NewsHour (N) ’ (CC) + WTTW (EI) (CC) Aye” Piano Guys perform. (N) favorite foods.

News ’ (CC) ness Report (N) Overheard With Nightly Busi- Charlie Rose ’ (CC) In the Loop Antiques Road- Masterpiece Classic “Downton Abbey, Season 5: Episode 9” The Craw- DW News Democracy Now! Current Events & Tavis Smiley ’ Charlie Rose (N) ’ (CC) 4 WYCC show News in the World.

(CC) Evan Smith ’ ness Report (N) leys enjoy Christmas. ’ (CC) (DVS) Two and a Half Two and a Half The Simpsons Family Guy American Dad King of the Hill Cheaters “Mia Raising Hope The Mentalist Rigsby has to ask The Mentalist “Bloodhounds” Inves- The Office ’ The Office “The American Dad Family Guy 8 WCGV Merger” (CC) ’ (CC) “He’s Bla-ack!” “Shallow Vows” ’ (CC) Kross” (CC) “Burt Bucks” (CC) Men ’ (CC) Men ’ (CC) “Homerland” ’ “Petarded” (CC) Cho for a favor. ’ (CC) tigating a double murder. ’ Rules of EnThe King of Family Guy Lauren Lake’s Judge Faith “Bye Mike & Molly ’ Mike & Molly ’ ABC7 Eyewitness News on WCIU, Rules of En- Family Guy 2 Broke Girls ’ 2 Broke Girls ’ Seinfeld (CC) Seinfeld “The The King of : WCIU Paternity Court Queens (CC) Queens (CC) “He’s Bla-ack!” gagement ’ The U (N) (CC) (CC) (CC) gagement ’ “Petarded” (CC) (CC) Opposite” ’ Felicia” ’ Modern Family American Country Countdown World’s Funniest “Meltdowns” ’ Fox Chicago News at Nine (N) ’ Modern Family TMZ ’ (CC) Dish Nation ’ TMZ Live ’ (CC) Paid Program @ WFLD TMZ (N) (CC) Dish Nation (N) Big Bang BBC World Nightly Busi- Poirot Stolen U.S. submarine plans. The Fixer Jamie is handed over to BBC World PBS NewsHour (N) ’ (CC) Charlie Rose (N) ’ (CC) Arts Page ’ PBS NewsHour (N) ’ (CC) Tavis Smiley ’ DW News D WMVT (CC) News America ness Report (N) ’ (CC) (CC) News ’ (CC) Hyde. ’ (Part 2 of 6) (CC) Blue Bloods “Lost and Found” Blue Bloods ’ (CC) Blue Bloods ’ (CC) Blue Bloods “Growing Boys” ’ Blue Bloods “Drawing Dead” ’ Blue Bloods “Justice Served” ’ Flashpoint “A Day in the Life” ’ F WCPX Blue Bloods “Unwritten Rules” Modern Family American Country Countdown World’s Funniest “Meltdowns” ’ Eyewitness News at Nine (N) Modern Family Big Bang The Simpsons TMZ (N) (CC) How I Met How I Met G WQRF Two/Half Men Two/Half Men Big Bang Crazy Talk ’ Crazy Talk ’ Family Feud ’ Family Feud ’ The Mentalist Rigsby has to ask The Mentalist “Bloodhounds” Inves- The Big Bang How I Met Your The Simpsons How I Met Your Anger Manage- Anger Manage- Tosh.0 ’ (CC) Paid Program R WPWR (CC) Mother (CC) ment (CC) ment (CC) Theory (CC) Mother (CC) ’ (CC) (CC) (CC) (CC) Cho for a favor. ’ (CC) tigating a double murder. ’ CABLE 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 The First 48 “Uncommon Valor” The First 48 ’ (CC) (12:01) The First 48 “Last Shift” (A&E) The First 48 ’ (CC) The First 48 “Last Shift” (N) ’ (:01) Nightwatch (N) ’ (CC) (:02) The First 48 ’ (CC) (:01) The First 48 ’ (CC) Movie “A Dennis the Menace Christmas” (2007) Robert Wagner. A Movie ››› “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994, Fantasy) Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Movie ››› “The Muppet Movie” (1979, Comedy) Charles Durning. “Dennis the (AMC) mischievous boy shows his neighbor the holiday spirit. ‘G’ (CC) Menace” Kermit the Frog and friends seek Hollywood stardom. ‘G’ (CC) Perkins. A department store Santa claims to be the real St. Nick. ‘PG’ (CC) Santa ’ (CC) (ANPL) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me (N) ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Monsters Inside Me ’ (CC) Anthony Bourdain Parts Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360 (N) (CC) Anthony Bourdain Parts CNN Tonight With Don Lemon (N) Anderson Cooper 360 (CC) CNN Newsroom Live (N) (CNN) The Situation Room (N) (:28) South Park Tosh.0 (CC) Key & Peele Key & Peele Key & Peele Key & Peele The Daily Show Nightly Show At Midnight (:31) Tosh.0 (12:02) Tosh.0 The Daily Show Tosh.0 (CC) (COM) (4:52) Futurama (:24) Futurama South Park SportsNet Cent Blackhawks NHL Hockey: Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks. (N) ’ (Live) (CC) Blackhawks SportsNet Cent SportsNet Cent Fantasy Ftb SportsNet Cent NHL Hockey (CSN) Bears Blitz (N) SportsTalk Live (N) ’ (Live) (DISC) Dual Survival (CC) Dual Survival ’ (CC) Dual Survival Southern Utah. ’ Dual Survival “Waterlogged” ’ Dual Survival “Grin and Bear It” Dual Survival ’ (CC) Dual Survival “Swamplandia” ’ Dual Survival The Himalayas. ’ Descendants: (:25) K.C. Under- (9:55) Jessie ’ Girl Meets World Jessie Jessie Jessie “We Are Austin & Ally ’ Hannah MonBest Friends (:20) Movie ›› “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (2010, Com- Movie ›› “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” (2011) Zachary (DISN) Wicked World cover ’ (CC) (CC) Gordon. Wimpy Greg deals with torment from his older brother. tana ’ (CC) Whenever ’ edy) Zachary Gordon. ’ ‘PG’ (CC) ’ (CC) writes a play. ’ So Grounded” (CC) (:05) Movie: ››› “The Last of the Mohicans” (1992) Daniel Day-Lewis.

Movie: ›› “Die Another Day” (2002) Pierce Brosnan. iTV. James Bond (:15) Movie: ››› “Fury” (2014, War) Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman. iTV. A (:35) Movie: ›› “Lake Placid” (1999, Horror) Bill Pull(ENC) Cooper’s frontier tale of Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas. and an American spy track a North Korean villain. ’ (CC) sergeant takes his men on a mission behind enemy lines. ’ (CC) man, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt. iTV. ’ (CC) 62: Streak SportsCenter SportsCenter (N) (Live) (CC) PBA Bowling: World Championship. From Reno, Nev. (N) (Live) (CC) E:60 (CC) SportsCenter (N) (Live) (CC) SportsCenter (N) (Live) (CC) (ESPN) SportsCenter (N) (Live) (CC) Women’s College Volleyball SportsCenter Women’s College Volleyball SportsCenter SportsCenter 30 for 30 (ESPN2) Around/Horn Interruption Movie: “Holidaze” (2013) Jennie Garth, Cameron Mathison.

(FAM) (3:15) Snow Movie: ››› “The Polar Express” (2004) Voices of Tom Hanks. (:45) Movie: ›› “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (2009, Fantasy) Voices of Jim Carrey.

The 700 Club ’ (CC) The Kelly File Hannity The Kelly File (N) Hannity (N) The O’Reilly Factor (CC) (FNC) Special Report With Bret Baier On Record, Greta Van Susteren The O’Reilly Factor (N) (CC) Beat Bobby Beat Bobby Beat Bobby Beat Bobby Restaurant: Impossible Beat Bobby Beat Bobby Chopped Four fathers compete. Chopped (N) Restaurant: Impossible (N) (FOOD) Chopped (FX) Movie: ›› “Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax” (2012) Voices of Danny DeVito.

Movie: ››› “Despicable Me 2” (2013) Voices of Steve Carell.

Movie: ››› “Despicable Me 2” (2013) Voices of Steve Carell.

Movie: ›› “Parental Guidance” (2012) Billy Crystal, Bette Midler.

Movie: “The Nine Lives of Christmas” (2014) Brandon Routh, Kimberly Movie: “On the Twelfth Day of Christmas” (2015) Robin Dunne, Brooke Movie: ››› “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (2008) Henry Movie: ››› “Annie Claus Is Coming to Town” (2011) Maria Thayer.

(HALL) Sustad. A bachelor learns the value of love and companionship.

Nevin. Maggie tries to help Mitch recapture his holiday spirit.

Winkler. A snowbound stranger brightens the holidays for a family.

An elf hires an actor to woo the daughter of Santa Claus.

Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Tiny House Hunters Int’l House Hunters Hunters Int’l Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Tiny House Hunters Int’l Flip or Flop (N) Flip or Flop (HGTV) Flip or Flop Pawn Stars (N) (:31) Pawn Stars (:03) Pawn Stars (:33) Pawn Stars (:03) Pawn Stars (:32) Pawn Stars (:01) Pawn Stars ’ (CC) (HIST) Pawn Stars ’ Pawn Stars ’ Pawn Stars ’ Pawn Stars ’ Pawn Stars ’ (CC) Pawn Stars ’ (:32) Pawn Stars Project Runway: Junior Using Project Runway: Junior The de- Project Runway: Junior Michelle Project Runway: Junior The de- (:02) Project Runway: Junior The (:02) Project Runway: Junior (:02) Project Runway: Junior (CC) (12:02) Project Runway: Junior (LIFE) materials found at a car wash. (CC) signers create mini collections.

Obama surprises the designers. signers create red carpet looks. designers create red carpet looks. “OMG! That’s Michelle Obama” “Race to the Red Carpet” (CC) All In With Chris Hayes The Rachel Maddow Show The Last Word Hardball With Chris Matthews (N) All In With Chris Hayes (N) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) The Last Word (MSNBC) MSNBC Live (N) Ridiculousness Ridiculousness Ridiculousness Ridiculousness Ridiculousness Broke Game Epic Fails 2015 Ridiculousness (:03) Movie: ›› “A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas” (2011) ’ (MTV) MTV Special ’ (NICK) Henry Danger Thundermans Talia, Kitchen Thundermans Movie: “Open Season 3” (2010) Premiere. ’ (CC) Full House ’ Full House ’ Full House ’ Friends (CC) Friends (CC) Friends (CC) (:33) Friends ’ Fresh Prince Fresh Prince Movie: ››› “Dumb & Dumber” (1994) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels. Two (4:00) Movie: ›› “Tommy Boy” (1995) Chris Farley. Movie: ››› “Dumb & Dumber” (1994, Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly. Funniest Commercials of the Year Lip Sync Battle Seth Rogen; (SPIKE) 2015 (N) ’ Joseph Gordon-Levitt. ’ witless wonders take a cash-laden briefcase to Aspen. ’ An heir tries to save his father’s business. ’ Two witless wonders take a cash-laden briefcase to Aspen. ’ Haven “Now” Everyone struggles to Haven “Forever” Nathan struggles Haven “Now” Everyone struggles to Haven “Forever” Nathan struggles Movie: ››› “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011) Kristen Connolly.

Bad WWE SmackDown!

(N) ’ (CC) (SYFY) rebuild the Barn. (N) (CC) to return to Haven. (CC) rebuild the Barn. (CC) to return to Haven. (CC) things happen when five friends go to a remote woodland cabin.

Screen Direc- Movie: ››› “So Dear to My Heart” (1949, Drama) Grasshopper Movie: ›› “Babes in Toyland” (1961, Musical) Ray Bolger, Annette. Movie: ››› “Never Cry Wolf” (1983, Adventure) Charles Martin Smith.

(4:45) Movie: ›› “Glory” (1956, Drama) Margaret (TCM) and the Ants Premiere. Barnaby tries to keep Tom Piper from Mary Contrary. tors Playhouse Burl Ives, Beulah Bondi. Premiere.

A biologist learns to live among wolves in the wilderness. (CC) O’Brien, Walter Brennan. (CC) (TLC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) 90 Day Fiancé ’ (CC) NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers. (N) (Live) (CC) NBA Basketball: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers. (N) (Live) (CC) (TNT) Castle “Countdown” Castle “One Life to Lose” ’ Inside the NBA (N) ’ (Live) (CC) Facts of Life Facts of Life Facts of Life Facts of Life Facts of Life Love-Raymond Love-Raymond Love-Raymond Love-Raymond King of Queens King of Queens King of Queens King of Queens Old Christine Old Christine (TVL) Facts of Life NCIS “Detour” Jimmy and Ducky go NCIS “Internal Affairs” The murder NCIS “Yankee White” Agents probe NCIS “My Other Left Foot” The NCIS “Bloodbath” Abby becomes Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family The Expanse “Dulcinea” Investigat(USA) of arms dealer La Grenouille. a death on Air Force One. (CC) (DVS) missing. ’ (CC) (DVS) severed leg of a corpse. ’ the target of a stalker. ’ “Yard Sale” ’ “Arrested” ’ “Mistery Date” ing a distress call. (CC) (VH1) (4:25) Movie: ››› “The Goonies” (1985) Sean Astin. ’ Movie: ››› “Breakfast Club” (1985) Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald. ’ (CC) Movie: ›› “Sixteen Candles” (1984) Molly Ringwald. ’ (CC) Movie: ››› “Breakfast Club” (1985) ’ (CC) Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Conan J.J. Abrams; John Boyega. 2 Broke Girls Conan J.J. Abrams; John Boyega. Cougar Town (WTBS) Seinfeld (CC) Seinfeld (CC) Seinfeld (CC) Seinfeld (CC) 2 Broke Girls 2 Broke Girls Big Bang PREMIUM 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 “Very Semi- Movie ›› “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” (2014, Fantasy) Ian McKellen, Movie ›› “Taken 3” (2014, Action) Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker.

Size Matters: A Real Sex Xtra Movie “Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief” (2015) Rev(HBO) Serious” Unusual clubs; realistic sex doll. elations about the controversial religion. ’ ‘NR’ (CC) Martin Freeman. Men, Dwarves and Elves must unite or be destroyed. ’ ‘PG-13’ (CC) Bryan Mills is framed for the murder of his ex-wife. ’ ‘PG-13’ (CC) (4:40) Movie ›› “A Million Ways to Die in the West” (:40) Movie ››› “Face/Off” (1997, Action) John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen.

An FBI Movie ›› “Poseidon” (2006) Josh Lucas.

A luxury (:40) Zane’s Sex (:10) Zane’s Sex (:40) Movie › “Jumper” (2008, Science Fiction) (MAX) liner capsizes in the North Atlantic. ‘PG-13’ (CC) Chronicles ’ Chronicles ’ Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell. ’ ‘PG-13’ (CC) (2014) Seth MacFarlane. ’ ‘R’ (CC) agent and a violent terrorist switch identities. ’ ‘R’ (CC) Homeland “Our Man in Damascus” Penn & Teller: Movie ›››› “Schindler’s List” (1993, Historical Drama) Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, (4:45) Daft Punk Unchained The (:15) Movie ›› “The Giver” (2014, Drama) Jeff Bridges. An old man tells The Affair Noah is rattled.

(SHOW) pop culture phenomenon.

Bulls...! (CC) Ralph Fiennes. A war profiteer saves his Jewish workers from death. ’ ‘R’ (CC) Carrie follows a lead. (CC) a youth the truth about their world. ’ ‘PG-13’ (CC) (:10) Movie “Highway” (2012) Gary Owen. Two broth- Movie ››› “12 O’Clock Boys” (2013) A boy idolizes (4:50) Movie ››› “Out of Sight” (1998) George Clooney.

A U.S. marMovie ››› “Scary Movie” (2000) Shawn Wayans.

A Movie ›› “Tales From the Hood” (1995, Drama) (TMC) ers search for a mythical highway in Kentucky. masked killer terrorizes and murders teens. a group of dirt-bike riders. ’ ‘NR’ (CC) shal falls for an escaped con she must capture. ’ ‘R’ (CC) Clarence Williams III, Joe Torry. ’ ‘R’ (CC)

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

36

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE F F O % 0 6 0 5 40 hing will be SOLD t y r e v E

Last Day of Sale December 31, 2015

T H EG O L D M I N E J E W E L E R S

Celebrating 33 years in St. Charles 213 W. MAIN STREET • ST. CHARLES • 630-377-4653 www.thegoldminejeweler.com T W F 9:30 - 5:30 • Thurs 9:30 - 7:00 • Sat 9:30 - 3:30

Call for extended Christmas Hours

FOX VALLEY

December 17, 2015

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

$5,000 BUYER BONUS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015!

Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, and backing to beautiful mature tree line, this spacious yet warm and inviting home is move-in ready! Celebrate large this holiday season! Generous room sizes and a floorplan that works every day, as well as for entertaining. The sunroom will be a favorite spot year-round, and the wet bar area off the family room provides awesome additional storage and a gathering spot for guests away from the kitchen.

Updates in all the right places - kitchen, baths, finished basement w/full bath, laundry options on 1st and 2nd floor, and hardwood floors thru-out!

The master bath and walk in closet are truly amazing! The 3-car endload garage enhances the curb appeal and the multi-level deck provides for easy outdoor relaxation. Great location - close to schools, easy access for commuters, whether driving or metra! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss seeing this one!

2601 Royal St. Georges Court, St. Charles

$564,000

Layer to build warmth in your home THE WASHINGTON POST Serena Dugan, the co-founder and chief creative officer of Serena & Lily, joined Post staff writer Jura Koncius for a recent live chat, giving pointers to readers on how to use color and pattern to refresh a space.

Here is an edited excerpt of her advice: • Patterned furniture: Print is never a bad idea! However, it is worth considering the investment. You may love a print today and be tired of it tomorrow. For this reason, I generally recommend smaller accent pieces as your fashion statement. You can easily trade them out or reupholster. But I really love the go-for-it feeling that a large piece of patterned upholstery offers.

• Mixing patterns: I love pattern on pattern, particularly plaids or stripes with other prints. The key to success is whether or not the other print is complementary to the plaid.

This determination is entirely subjective. If you feel the

adno=0359412

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| REAL ESTATE WEEKLY

2

Be your own boss!

Introducing The Salon Suites of Geneva Suites are a wonderful opportunity to have the freedom to increase your earnings, set your own pricing and hours, and give your clients privacy. If you are self-motivated, this is the opportunity for you! Most people increase their income by 50%! Be creative, design and decorate with your own style! Excellent location near Geneva Commons! Call for more information!!

“What effect are you going for: calm and serene, vibrant and cheerful, or cocooning and moody?” Examples of serene would be aqua, gray and ivory. Cheerful could be grass green and coral. Moody could be deep navy paired with camel.

• Painting wood stairs: Painting over wood in a stairwell is a very inexpensive way to create big impact. I’m a big fan of contrast on stairs. I love black treads with contrast on the riser, which could be white or could be a color, or several different colors, for that matter. That’s your place to play.

• Accent options for neutral colors: There are so many great contrasts to neutrals that allow you to create just about any effect. The effect you want to create is personal, but some of my favorites are greige with brownish pinks, which is calm and feminine.

I love camels mixed with hot coral for something more lively. I think grays and taupes pair beautifully with pale aqua.

Local Berkshire Hathaway employees attend conference for home services SHAW MEDIA

RE/MAX Excels Dorothy H. Kolschowsky Broker (630) 262-4321 (Direct)

adno=0359538

dkolschowsky@remax.net www.dkolschowsky.illinoisproperty.com ©2015 Imprev, Inc. |

two patterns are harmonious to your eye, that’s all that matters.

• Choose furniture before painting walls: While walls are an important ingredient in design, I recommend waiting on paint colors for the majority of the house until you’ve made some decisions about furnishings. You don’t want to paint twice.

• Decorating for the seasons: I’m a big believer in layering.

A layered approach helps you build warmth and take it away as needed. When I was growing up, four seasons meant four looks in the house.

Today, I think fewer rules apply whether you’re West or East Coast. Fall does not necessarily mean burgundy. It can mean grass green, regardless of weather temperatures.

I recommend you cast off the notion of seasonal aesthetics; think about what’s practical for you and your family and try living as though there are no seasons.

• Fresh color combinations for a bedroom: The first question I would ask is,

RE/MAX Excels 1772 S. Randall Rd., Ste 100 Geneva, IL 60134

Please Recycle Your Newspaper

The 2015 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Summit Conference was open only to the top 5 percent of the company’s 27,000 agents.

Carol Weinert of the St. Charles branch office and Natalee Dismuke of the Elgin branch office were among the 400 top-producing real estate agents who attended the conference, a news release stated from the Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate office in St. Charles.

From Oct. 4 to 6, conference guests were treated to “posh accommodations” at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to the release. Their time was filled

with listening to speakers, networking activities and a showcase of business-building tools and technology.

“It was a first-class experience in every regard,” Weinert said in the release. “Themes that were emphasized throughout the event encouraged us to expand our horizons, to think outside the box and to generate steps for growth.”

A silent auction during the conference raised more than $12,000 on behalf of the company’s favorite charity, the Sunshine Kids, a nonprofit that provides fun activities for kids battling cancer to boost their spirits, the release stated.

The conference was not all business, as it treated attend-

ees to demonstrations and divot stomping at the International Polo Club, as well as a scenic cruise along the Palm Beach Intracoastal Waterway.

“It was perhaps my favorite part of the conference to meet a cross section of peers from around the country and just talk shop,” Weinert said.

“The exchange of ideas was energizing!”

Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate is in the top 1 percent of real estate companies nationwide, the release stated.

The St. Charles branch office is located at 1607 E. Main St., while the Elgin branch office is located at 1300 Larkin Ave. Walk-ins are welcome seven days a week.

3

$375,000

Geneva

$599,900

Batavia

$699,900

Aurora

$90,000

Historic 4BR/2.2BA home on landscaped corner lot close to downtown. Gorgeous details, orig hdwd floors & millwork, built-ins, 2 fireplaces. 3rd floor attic, sauna, huge screened porch, meticulous! bit.ly/902hawthorne

Meticulous 5BR/4.1BA luxury home in Tanglewood Hills! Upgrades galore, exquisite decor, high end kitchen, finished bsmt w/home theater. 1st floor den, luxury master suite, excellent location! grf.me/3dl

3BR/2BA two story on fenced lot close to downtown! Covered front porch, generous room sizes, living & dining rooms, eat-in kitchen, huge master bedroom. Full basement with full bath. Detached garage. kombrink.com

Geneva

4BR/3.1BA home on fenced corner lot. Deck, paver patio w/hot tub & porch. Adjacent to park! Bright, tasteful decor, eat-in kitchen, hdwd floors, gas log fp & finished bsmt.

Vaulted master suite w/bath. bit.ly/2316blackberry

$389,900

Great 1+ acre lot, use your builder or ours (Homes by Steve Hed). Great location in popular Blackberry Crossing subdivision. Just moments west of Randall Road. Soil test available on request. kombrink.com

Elburn

$154,900

St Charles

$252,500

Geneva

5BR/5.1BA custom Mill Creek home on golf course lot! 4-car heated garage, paver patio, stunning floorplan w/vaulted ceilings, hdwd floors, gourmet eat-in kitchen & high end upgrades throughout! Must see! bit.ly/kellarsq

$895,000

Custom 6BR/4.2BA home on .97-acre lot w/3 ponds, trails & more. Expansive living space in a private setting. A house for all seasons, birders paradise. Breathtaking views, full finished bsmt, 2.5-car. bit.ly/knollcreek

St Charles

$649,900

Batavia

$679,900

Batavia

$875,000

St Charles

Luxury 5BR/4BA home on wooded landscaped lot in Majestic Oaks. Excellent location close to shops, dining, schools & parks. Open floor plan, upgrades galore, high ceilings, 2nd floor media room. bit.ly/majesticoaks

$539,900

4BR/2.1BA home on fenced cul-de-sac lot backing to pond! Spacious open floor plan w/1st floor den & laundry. 2nd floor loft area, master suite w/private bath. Full bsmt, 2-car garage, close to I-88. bit.ly/977martinson

7.7 ac. parcel for your estate AND your horses!

Peaceful country living, highly rated BURLINGTON SCHOOLS, less than 10 minutes to Randall Rd. Envision country living, still near all the conveniences. kombrink.com

Elgin

$249,900

Geneva

$324,900

West Chicago

$145,000

Elburn

$84,900

Geneva

$429,900

St Charles

$335,000

Batavia

$1,330,000

5BR/3BA raised ranch on large corner lot. Walk to parks and Davis elementary. Minutes from downtown St Charles or Geneva. Hdwd floors, move-in condition, master w/bath, finished lower level & more! bit.ly/1213howardst

5BR/5BA Tanglewood Hills home on large landscaped lot. Meticulous inside & out.

Tasteful decor, great views, all the amenities.

Over 4200 sq ft plus full finished basement.

Covered porch, huge patio. bit.ly/2611lusted

Updated 2BR/1.1BA townhome in Appletree subdivision. Wooded common area, 2-car garage, wood laminate floors. Eat-in kitchen, private deck, vaulted master suite. Finished walkout bsmt w/family room. bit.ly/orchardct

4BR/5BA luxury home in Tanglewood Hills.

Premium wooded lot, tiered patio, deck, courtyard. 5500+ sq ft of living w/finest amenities & upgrades. 1st floor master suite, walkout bsmt, 3.5-car garage. bit.ly/2752lusted

Build your dream home on this secluded tree lined cul-de-sac lot! Choose your own builder.

Lot has walk-out potential. Located in established Willow Creek subdivision minutes from I-88 & Metra. kombrink.com

440 E DeKalb Dr Lot 40 $25,500 Build your dream home on this cul-de-sac lot in Maple Park. Public utilities, just minutes from Metra (Elburn), NIU, I-88 access and more!

Enjoy the charm of this friendly village. kombrink.com

5BR/3.1BA Mill Creek home backing to open space. High ceilings, millwork, finished bsmt w/2nd kitchen & 5th bedroom. Paver patio, adjacent to playground, walk to school. Master suite, den, loftÖ bit.ly/prestoncir

St Charles

$589,900

South Elgin

$549,900

North Aurora

$289,500

Maple Park

$329,900

5BR/4.1BA Fox Mill Custom Home backing to open space. Finished walkout bsmt, large paver patio, large landscaped lot. Hdwd floors, gourmet kitchen, den, loft, master suite.

Nearby amenities, must see! bit.ly/foxmillhome

Dwyer Homes proposed construction, one of few remaining lots in desirable Thornwood subd. Huge corner lot, also available to purchase just lot and bring your own builder and plans. Exceptional value! kombrink.com

3BR/2BA Farmette on 6 acres, 3 large outbuildings, garden space. Above ground pool, deck, parquet floors, stainless appliances. Close to Rts 64, 38 & 47. Great potential & excellent value! grf.me/33w

Spacious 3BR/2.1BA home on secluded .81acre wooded lot. Meticulious interior w/neutral decor, brick fp, hdwd floors, eat-in kitchen.

Master suite w/bath, finished bsmt. Patio & tiered deck, 3-car garage. bit.ly/ravinedr

3BR/3BA in-town home on landscaped lot.

Pride of ownership shows! Every detail designed for your comfort. Versatile floorplan, multi-generational living, walk to school, parks, tennis & downtown! bit.ly/616mckinley

5BR/5.1BA luxury home in Tanglewood Hills.

1-acre cul-de-sac lot, custom home, outdoor kitchen, inground pool, hot tub, waterfall.

Finished bsmt w/sports bar & full bath. Tasteful decor, must see. bit.ly/schonback

CHECK YOUR LATEST HOME PRICE West Chicago

$294,500

Spacious 3BR/2BA home on fenced corner lot w/patio & shed. Heated 2-car garage, hdwd floors, vaulted ceilings. Gourmet eat-in kitchen w/granite. Family room w/floor-to-ceiling fireplace, so much more! bit.ly/sycamorest

Batavia

$229,900

Updated 3BR/1.1BA Woodland Hills home on corner lot. Freshly painted exterior, close to park. New carpet, updated kitchen and bath.

Solid surface counters, master w/shared bath, motivated seller! bit.ly/1253violet

St Charles

$334,900

Stunning 4BR/2BA home on .9-ac lot. Perfect inside & out! Tasteful updated decor, hdwd floors, vaulted sun room, oversized 2-car garage. Move-in ready, St Charles schools, peaceful location! bit.ly/7n784sycamore

Maple Park

$419,900

Great 6-stall barn, 12x14 stalls w/indiv. fans, dutch doors, heated Nelson auto waterers, washrack w/h&c water, much more. Room to build home &/or indoor arena. Pressure treated fencing. 16+ acres! kombrink.com

Elburn

St Charles

$219,900

Great homesite available in desirable Silver Glen Estates! 1.29 acres on this large corner lot. Community well and sewer. Don’t pass up this great investment! kombrink.com

Great American North

Each office independently owned and operated.

$595,000

Privacy abounds on this peaceful 1.9 ac. lot nature at its best! Builders-bring your small projects, or build your own estate in a wooded area. Can be subdivided into 4 lots. St Charles schools! kombrink.com

40W160 Campton Crossing Drive, St. Charles IL 60175

Batavia

$289,500

4BR/2.5BA Breton Manor home on landscaped corner lot. Tiered deck, newer roof, windows, doors & appliances. Neutral decor, hdwd floors, fireplace. Close to river & downtown, Batavia schools! bit.ly/837viking

St Charles

$429,900

4BR/4BA ranch, .7-ac cul-de-sac lot, views, open floorplan, fin. walk-out bmt., upgrades galore, 3 patios, tiered deck, pool, gourmet kitchen, luxury master suite, mudroom, 3-car garage, move-in ready! bit.ly/901wildwood

Still on the fence? See if it’s time to get off the fence.

FoxValleyHomePrices.com

630-488-3300

Bottom line...

We sell more homes! adno=0359094

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

St Charles

Best value in Arbor Creek! 4BR/2.1BA two story on acre lot w/patio, deck, pond & more!

1st floor den, eat-in kitchen w/stainless & walkin pantry. Built-in bookcases, luxury master, finished bsmt & more! bit.ly/39w261arborcreek

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

• 388 Homes Sold YTD • #1 Team in the Fox Valley • #2 RE/MAX Team in Illinois

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| REAL ESTATE WEEKLY

4

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Batavia

1000 Mckee St: Sold on or before 111215 by Siemens Industry Inc to Siemens Corporation; $46,500 1242 Woodland Ave: Sold on or before 111815 by Johnson Trust to William Sykstus & Christine Sykstus; $720,000 1617 Haines Dr: Sold on or before 111715 by William M Sykstus to Jonathan Russell Lynn & Kimberly Jade Lynn; $310,000 2722 Sperry Ct: Sold on or before 111615 by John R Consigny to Mark A Cowell & Bernadette E Cowell; $512,500 2S973 Shagbark Dr: Sold on or before 111215 by Jeffrey S Clark to Daniel Calabrese; $230,000 503 W Wilson St: Sold on or before 111315 by Thomas G Loehr to Josephine T Letwaitis; $248,500 522 Elm St: Sold on or before 111815 by Seastrom Trust to Judith Larson; $105,000 525 N College St: Sold on or before 111615 by Thomas Ramseth to Tiago Velho & Valerie Velho; $253,000 605 Main St: Sold on or before 111615 by Pringle Trust to Harry

111215 by Shodeen Homes Llc to Patrick T Meagher & Debra L Meagher; $522,000 0N408 Eldon Dr N: Sold on or before 111715 by Bauer Trust to Kathleen M Frenzel & Eugene W Elburn Sullivan; $350,000 1158 Motz St: Sold on or before 111215 by Basis Investments Llc to 0N410 N Mill Creek Dr: Sold on or before 111215 by Et Cet Era Land Co James Righeimer III; $205,000 to Shodeen Homes Llc; $65,000 15738 Greenbrier Dr: Sold on or before 111815 by Robert J Hansen 0N432 King Dr: Sold on or before to Przemyslaw Wisniewski & Anna 111215 by Et Cet Era Land Co to Shodeen Homes Llc; $137,500 Wisniewski; $196,000 39W805 Fabyan Pkwy: Sold on or 1039 Westfield Crse: Sold on or before 111315 by Root Trust before 111615 by Us Bank Na Trustto Adam Wronkiewicz & Cali ee to Robert Chambers; $585,000 Wronkiewicz; $280,000 40W020 Hughes Rd: Sold on 115 Peyton St: Sold on or before or before 111215 by Anne Marie 111315 by Elizabeth Dorn to ThomMcconnaughay to Ferg Lane Llc; as D Amore; $268,000 $485,000 1687 Washington Ct: Sold on or 4N315 Whirlaway Dr: Sold on or before 111215 by Kubik Trust to before 111315 by First American Rene Riley; $163,000 Bank Trustee to Kenneth K Sar1861 Williamsburg Ave: Sold on or gent; $275,000 before 111615 by Bay Dho Enterpris540 Saratoga Dr: Sold on or before es Llc to Robert A Cole; $314,000 111215 by Kane County Sheriff to 2750 Miller Rd: Sold on or before Hsbc Bank Usa; $164,000 111815 by Terry B Vaughn to Jamie A Dinella & Phillip J Dinella; $375,000 Geneva 3909 Ridge Pointe Dr: Sold on or be0N290 King Dr: Sold on or before William Reineke Iv; $240,000 901 Gosselin Cir: Sold on or before 111815 by Novack Trust to Gene Baum & Sally Baum; $194,500

THE COLLINS GROUP

John Collins, Peggy Collins, Grant Montgomery, Peter Avitia & Eric Rakunas.

303 E. Main St. • (630) 584-2500 • www.TheCollinsGroupInc.com ICE D! PR UCE D RE

W !

NE TING S LI

630 Persimmon Drive Saint Charles $398,900

4N891 Old Farm Road St. Charles $995,000

Lot 1 Barlow Drive

Office Space for Rent 303 East Main Street, St. Charles

Great home in a great location! Walk to downtown St. Charles, Pottawatomie Park, or the near by walking paths. Solid, well built home with crown molding and high end finishes throughout. Beautiful brick and marble fireplaces. Lovely three season room with vaulted wood ceiling. Open floor plan and lots of natural light. The backyard is spacious and backs up to a detention pond. This home has so much potential!!

St. Charles

$235,000

Last available lot in Barlow Woods Subdivision. Great opportunity to build your custom dream home on this 2 acre wooded lot in the country, just west of St. Charles.

Gorgeous mature trees creates a private setting.

Convenient access to shopping, entertainment, and close to LaFox and Elburn Metra Train Station. 2.03 acres.

Beautiful French Country Home with scenic views on culde-sac. New roof, remodeled master bath and walk-in closet. Many new updates, Gourmet kitchen with Winter Birch Crystal cabinetry and walk-in pantry. Spacious bedrooms all with private baths.

High-end office space available downtown St. Charles.

1 private office and 1 cubicle fully furnished. Small kitchen, reception area and conference room is also available. Plenty of parking. Real Estate Agent Owned.

adno=0359103

fore 111915 by Nvr Inc to Luis E Vallejo & Constance V Vallejo; $337,000 39W570 S Mathewson Ln: Sold on or before 112015 by Sergio A Yepiz to Weichert Workforce Mobility; $495,000 39W570 S Mathewson Ln: Sold on or before 112015 by Weichert Workforce Mobility to David R Wall & Laurel D Wall; $465,000 528 Bradbury Ln: Sold on or before 111615 by Graffagna Trust to Janet R Waller & Ruth R Lauber; $181,500 532 Dempsey Pl: Sold on or before 111815 by Joel A Maevers to Dexter Peak & Rachel Peak; $395,000 630 Shepherd Ln: Sold on or before 111815 by Kane County Sheriff to Dgdb Llc Series Iv; $211,500 754 Considine Rd: Sold on or before 111615 by State Bank Of Geneva Trustee to Daniel G Greenwood & Eileen Kaefer; $222,000 77 N 1st St: Sold on or before 111915

by Sho Deen Inc to Shodeen Homes Llc; $165,000 937 Saint Andrews Cir: Sold on or before 111915 by John Neill to Darren Cox & Nikoletta Cox; $485,000

111315 by Sherman Trust to Matthew Mueller; $152,000 43 Silver Trl: Sold on or before 111715

by Stransky Trust to Richard D Brackett & Joan M Brackett; $157,000

St. Charles

101 S 17th St: Sold on or before 111815 by Vantell Group Llc to Rick Davila & Dorcas D Davila; $495,000 1103 Adare Ct: Sold on or before 111215 by John C Wagner to Kammerer Trust; $237,500 1917 Waverly Cir: Sold on or before 111615 by Marquette Bank Trustee to Patricia Wheeler; $244,000 215 S 4th Ave: Sold on or before 111315 by Walter C Miller to 2nd & Main Partners Llc; $240,000 237 Sedgewick Cir: Sold on or before 111215 by Courtney B Dehoyos to Tracey Trendler; $260,000 300 S Randall Rd: Sold on or before 112015 by Cp Maple Leaf Llc to Cedjr I Llc; $2,372,000 34W528 Springfield St: Sold on or before 111615 by Vera Everett Middleton to Norma Loveless & Billy Loveless; $50,000 38W342 Stevens Glen Rd: Sold on or before 111715 by Lori Lain Maple Park to Jefferson Eldridge & Laura 02N681 Meredith Rd: Sold on or Eldridge; $565,000 before 111315 by John Mueller to 40W214 Ancient Oak Ct: Sold on Eric J Marler & Laura A Marler; or before 111315 by Thomas M $420,000 Tolle to Morris Trust; $499,000 02N773 Meredith Rd: Sold on or 40W646 Longshadow Ln: Sold on before 111315 by John Mueller to or before 111915 by Robert G Hoge Alex Volz; $155,500 to James P Ormond & Rachael R 44W408 Lees Rd: Sold on or beOrmond; $320,000 fore 111315 by Chicago Title Land 4N475 S Robert Frost Cir: Sold on Trt Co Ttee to James A Adrian & or before 112015 by Peter C MckRenee M Adrian; $0 eighan to Usha Selvam; $423,000 4N855 Prairie Lakes Blvd: Sold on North Aurora or before 111215 by Sebern Cus1200 Orchard Gateway Blvd: Sold tom Homes Llc to Christpopher G on or before 111615 by Us Real Baby & Karla Baby; $825,000 Estate Lp to Svf Orchard North 5N275 Fox Bluff Dr: Sold on or Aurora Llc; $46,200,000 before 111615 by Old Second 129 Lincolnway: Sold on or before National Bank Ttee to Charles 111715 by Stephen C Gerber to Mackinnon; $416,000 Christine C Sulwer & Aaron D 5N475 Harvest Ln: Sold on or before Sulwer; $164,000 112015 by Jerrid A Stepp to Brian D 1461 Patterson Ave: Sold on or beDreyer & Jennifer D Dreyer; $330,000 fore 111315 by Jennifer L Desbles 5N902 Ravine Dr: Sold on or before to Adnan Ebibi & Bonnie Brown; 111315 by Grandview Capital Llc $235,000 to Kenneth Luisi & Nicole Luisi; 1512 Stevens Ct: Sold on or before $310,000 111615 by Lynda L Coyle to Marcia 602 State St: Sold on or before A Jackson; $250,000 111915 by James Paul to Matthew 203 Laurel Dr B: Sold on or before Brown & Kara Brown; $225,000 111315 by Mcgowan Trust to 6N359 Brierwood Dr: Sold on or Rogelio Diaz; $81,000 before 111315 by Geraldine Bru204 Maplewood Dr: Sold on or baker to Daniel J Hiatt; $280,000 before 111215 by Jennifer Louise 6N486 W Ridgewood Ln: Sold on Martin to Evelio Blanco & Isabel or before 111915 by Us Bank Na Blanco; $149,000 Trustee to Salih Bahic & Nisveta 205 Sharon Ln: Sold on or before Bahic; $330,000 111915 by Jack M Wittry to Linda C St Pierre; $154,000 358 Ridge Rd: Sold on or before See TRANSFERS, page 5

the coveted Circle of Legends Award, the Chairman’s Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is the equivalent of three Hall of Fame Awards, the release stated.

Rullo, his wife and The Rullo Team – which includes buyer specialists Kathe Hess

and Sandy Selander – provide their clients with the highest level of service by offering a group of professionals with experience and cutting-edge skills. Along with client care coordinator Denise Huelskamp; special project managers Eileen Newman and Me-

lissa Gorham; and webmaster Adam Rullo, The Rullo Team is able to provide its clients with the highest level of service, according to the release.

To learn more, call 630-5131771, email rullos@rullos.com or visit www.therulloteam. com.

• TRANSFERS

Cristina Juarez; $135,000 639 Spruce St: Sold on or before 111815 by Kane County Sheriff to Charles Kirkwood; $30,500 65 Lone A: Sold on or before 111215

by Daryl Van Eck to Linda L Olson; $140,000 652 Juli Dr: Sold on or before 111215 by Kane County Sheriff to N Holdings Llc; $149,000 749 Hamilton Dr: Sold on or before 111815 by Pulte Home Corp to Kory J Moser & Susan A Moser; $537,500 889 Helen Ave: Sold on or before 111915 by Bank Of America Na to Roberto Gallardo; $122,000 9 Kaelynn Ct: Sold on or before 111715 by Michelle L Netko to Janice Buck; $214,000

95 Ione Dr B: Sold on or before 111215 by Pepe Trust to Allison Ardelan; $144,000

248 Snow St: Sold on or before 111915 by Gregory Laverty to Elizabeth Krohn; $215,000 560 E Merrill Rd: Sold on or before 111915 by Rosario Scimeca to Brandon W Ross; $350,000 633 Ridgeview Ln: Sold on or before 111715 by Taylor Morrison Illinois Inc to Ursula S Aspel; $321,500

Continued from page 4 709 N 3rd Ave: Sold on or before 111715 by James C Brainard to David M Cane; $301,000 7N023 Bristol Ct: Sold on or before 111915 by Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp to Nick R Pierotti & Kristen A Pierotti; $355,000

South Elgin

1072 La Fayette Dr: Sold on or before 111315 by Bayview Loan Servicing Llc to Jerry Rusin; $121,000 1247 Sandhurst Ln 4: Sold on or before 111715 by Kristen Babyar to Srei Llc; $83,000

15 Farmington Ct: Sold on or before 111215 by Anthony J Pahigianis to Brian Evensen & Jennifer Evensen; $210,000 195 N Gilbert St: Sold on or before 111215 by Erickson Trust to Victor Alanis; $149,000 21 Farmington Ct: Sold on or before 111915 by Kurt Kramer to William P Vanden Heuvel & Danica L Johnson; $212,000 223 South Dr: Sold on or before 111815 by Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp to Librado Serrano; $74,500 2286 Brookwood Dr: Sold on or before 111615 by Pennymac Corp to Jennifer S Wong & Michael D Wong; $375,000 350 Windsor Ct A: Sold on or before 111315 by Adam Maguire to

Su Ope n1 n -3 PM

ew N ting s Li

Great Location

121 VERSAILLES COURT, BLOOMINGDALE $309,000 ric me sto o Hi ed H t da Up

3005 GLEN EAGLES COURT, ST. CHARLES

$1,088,000

Keep your child safe.

More than 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms every year because they got into medicines while their parent or caregiver was not looking.

Always put every medicine and vitamin up and away every time you use it. Also, program your poison control center’s number in your phone: 800.222.1222.

To learn more, visit UpandAway.org In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Stunning Home

Introducing the Amandus Cover, a Historic District house that offers the best of both worlds featuring top of the line updates and a seamless open floor plan situated on almost 1 acre. The large heated garage is perfect for any hobbyist. A true gem in the heart of the downtown, there is nothing that compares to this impressive property.

32W244 GLOS STREET, WAYNE $300,000

y wl ch Ne Ran d e t Lis

Impressive Home

Immaculate brick home with over 4000 square feet of finished living space. Become instantly impressed with the stunning, 2-story foyer that leads the way to a gourmet kitchen, a spectacular sunroom and an inviting family. Situated on a fabulous 1/2+ acre lot, this beautiful property offers a circular drive, huge deck, and numerous mature trees that provide ample privacy.

A beautiful midcentury modern classic all brick ranch home with a total of 2,600 finished square feet of living space. Kitchen has lots of character with the restored 1956 oven. Heated 3 season porch. Two separate entries to the finished basement. Private back yard with a deck. Close to park, shopping, Metra train, and I-90.

1292 SYCAMORE STREET, ELGIN $249,900

246 WING PARK BLVD, ELGIN $200,000

w on Ne ucti str n Co

Impressive Historic Home

Elegance and Sophistication

104 W Park Ave: Sold on or before 111215 by Geraldine L Jones to Anne Marie Mcconnaughay; $151,000 1107 Redbud Ln: Sold on or before 111215 by Mccue Builders Inc to Matthew Bonnie; $411,000 123 Terry Dr: Sold on or before 111715 by Jeffrey L Thompson to Christina A Wish & James E Wish; $165,000 1884 Glenwood Cir A: Sold on or before 111715 by K Hovnanian At Meadowridge Vil to Susan L Velichkoff; $255,000

o s t ce ck Spa a B n pe O

st Ju ted s Li

Bright, sunny, and largest model end unit in the desirable Chateau Lorraine subdivision.

Walking distance to Springfield Park, shopping, golf and walking path. This freshly painted home offers a very spacious master bedroom and master bath, dramatic family room, dining room and a full basement.

Providing stunning views, exclusive privacy and a close connection with nature, this home represents the best that Woods of Fox Glen has to offer. Designed for entertaining, this custom residence boasts classic architecture, elaborate millwork and moldings, built-ins and a seamless open floor plan. A truly exceptional property with so much to appreciate.

Sugar Grove

Blackberry Creek Custom Home

e us ho nity b u u Cl mm Co

Stunning Home

Patrick Custom Homes classic. Exterior features brick and cedar. Immaculate finishing touches throughout home including oak custom staircase that welcomes you into endless details of custom moldings, columns and wainscoting. Spacious kitchen with Brakur maple cabinets, vented hood, and SS GE appliances. Escape to the huge master suite with tray ceiling and a luxurious master bath.

Truly impressive one-owner 2-story Brundige model backing to the Mill Creek Golf Course.

Boasting over 3000 square feet, this home is one-of-a-kind with hardwood and travertine flooring, four-piece crown molding, skylights and “lodge-like” living room with cedar tongue/groove paneling. Great home close to parks, pool, clubhouse and Metra.

1284 BEED AVENUE; ELBURN $399,500

0N537 WEAVER CIRCLE, GENEVA $395,000

View These Homes and Many Others at: www.TheMcKayGroup.com

Debora McKay 630-587-4672

2690 E. Main St. • St. Charles Owned and Operated by NRT, Incorporated

ABR, Broker, CHMS • Luxury Home Specialist Relocation Specialist • Top 1% of Coldwell Banker

email: Debora@TheMcKayGroup.com

©2015 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

adno=0359110

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

and The Rullo Team are ranked No. 13, a news release stated.

Alex Rullo, broker with Re/ Rullo and his wife, Vicky, Max Great American North in also a Re/Max Realtor, consisSt. Charles, has been award- tently have placed in the top 1 ed for his sales performance percent of all Realtors nationalthrough October. Out of more ly, the release stated. Rullo is a than 2,200 sales associates in the charter member of the Re/Max northern Illinois region, Alex Hall of Fame. He also has earned

SHAW MEDIA

5 REAL ESTATE WEEKLY | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Alex Rullo earns award for sales performance

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| REAL ESTATE WEEKLY

6

A clean break from clutter drawers, closet floors. Move everything from the space and clean; then force yourself to make the decision about whether it’s worth putting the items back. This will not only help with organization, it also will remove dust and dust mites from your living space.

By NICOLE ANZIA

Special to The Washington Post There is plenty of organizing advice out there advocating one technique or another for decluttering your home and simplifying your life. Bits and pieces of that advice work for some but not for others, often because they require a complete reversal in thinking.

Here are three basic ideas that are easy to implement and can not only improve organization in your home but also motivate you to do more.

Bags are for transporting

Bags are for getting things from one place to another.

They are not storage bins.

Don’t toss things into bags when you’re tidying up and then never go back and empty them. Among the many Neat is good, but clean problems with using bags to gets you organized corral things you don’t know Having things neatly arwhat to do with or are too ranged on shelves or tucked lazy to put away is that you beneath a piece of furniture simply forget that you have goes a long way toward givthe stuff and then go out and ing a room a tidy appearance. buy more. It’s easy to see how But putting things “away” this can become problematic. without ever removing them When you get home from or cleaning underneath them shopping, unpack your bags. probably means you don’t Likewise, luggage should be need the items, you’re not emptied within 24 hours of reenjoying them and you’re turning home. Purses and work avoiding parting with them. totes that are used daily should A couple of times a year, be cleaned out and organized at take a look around your house least once a week. Yes, this will and pick a couple of areas take an extra few minutes, but that have sat undisturbed for it will also save you time later. a while – bookshelves, under And you may even find money beds, inside cabinets and you didn’t know you had!

30 yr APR

3.943% 30yr Fixed APR

People get caught up in the notion that certain things belong in certain places in a house – tools should be kept in the garage, brushes in a bathroom and suitcases in the attic.

But if you’re putting things in places that don’t work for the way you live, it’s going to be a struggle to stay organized.

It’s OK to keep a hammer and screwdriver in a kitchen drawer or hall table and have a basket of hair accessories near the front door.

Although it seems there are rigid rules everyone must follow to become and stay organized, there really aren’t.

The key is to find the best and most efficient solution for you and your family and go with it.

Thinking more about how you use things in your daily life will make organizing more effective and effortless.

Nicole Anzia is a freelance writer and owner of Neatnik. She can be reached at nicole@neatnik.org.

Check rates daily at http://nwherald.interest.com

30 yr Fixed

Product

Rate: 3.875

20 yr fixed

3.625 0.000 $1362

20% 3.719

Points: 0.000 15 yr fixed

3.125 0.000 $1362

20% 3.245

Fees: $1362 10 yr fixed

2.875 0.000 $1362

20% 3.048 http://www.tcmortgageservices.com

% Down: 20%

Rate

Points

Fees

% Down

APR

Phone Number / Website

NMLS # / License # NMLS# 221739

847-757-5075

MB.6759601

By STEVE WYDLER and HANS WYDLER Special to The Washington Post Throughout the past few years, we have seen a boom in significant home renovations and new construction. It is an exciting time as homeowners, interior designers and builders are incorporating thoughtful design details into their projects.

Some are functional or aesthetic. Others are a bit of both.

Since we have the unique vantage point of seeing lots of homes and working with many sellers and buyers, we thought we’d share with you some of our favorites.

• Kitchen cabinetry: Let’s face it, you can’t have too much storage in a kitchen. Kitchen cabinetry that goes all the way to the ceiling makes use of all the vertical space. Besides, when cabinets stop short of the ceiling, the tops just collect dust.

• Smart use of pocket doors: Nothing is more frustrating than opening a door only to have it slam into another open door. Where there are too many doors or just a need for precious space, pocket doors make sense. In addition to saving space, pocket doors allow for easier placement of furniture.

• Attic HVAC unit: Most attic A/C handlers we see are located in an unconditioned area.

We are starting to see “green” homes in which the attic unit is built in a “conditioned” room.

In other words, the A/C unit cools itself – making it run far more efficiently and extending the life of the unit. Very cool.

• Backsplash outlets no more: A kitchen backsplash can be a great finishing touch to pull a kitchen design together. Because building codes require electrical outlets at regular intervals throughout the kitchen, electrical outlets break up the look of the backsplash.

• Floor vents and return grills:

Finished floor vents custom crafted from the same material as the floor are vastly better than a cheap metal insert.

• Placement: Look for bathroom shower and tub faucets conveniently located where you can turn on the water without getting wet.

• Electric outlets: Incorporating combo electrical outlet/ USB ports into key areas in the kitchen, by bed tables and in home offices can make charging your devices far more convenient.

• Doors: Hollow doors make a home feel flimsy. Look for solid core doors with good quality hardware.

• Solar tubes: Solar tubes are cylinders connecting from the roof to a ceiling bringing natural light into a home at a fraction of a cost of skylights.

• Wood burning fireplace with gas starter: A gas starter for a wood burning fireplace is the best of both worlds. No kindling, no newspaper, no sweat!

Steve Wydler and Hans Wydler co-lead the Wydler Brothers real estate team and are authors of “Inside the Sell: Top Agents Reveal Unspoken Secrets and Dangers of Buying and Selling Your Home.”

Float Down Available on All Products!

Legend: The rate and annual percentage rate (APR) are effective as of 12/15/15. © 2015 Bankrate, Inc. http://www.interest.com. The APR may increase after consummation and may vary. Payments do not include amounts for taxes and insurance. The fees set forth for each advertisement above may be charged to open the plan (A) Mortgage Banker, (B) Mortgage Broker, (C) Bank, (D) S & L, (E) Credit Union, (BA) indicates Licensed Mortgage Banker, NYS Banking Dept., (BR) indicates Registered Mortgage Broker, NYS Banking Dept., (loans arranged through third parties). “Call for Rates” means actual rates were not available at press time. All rates are quoted on a minimum FICO score of 740. Illinois Mortgage Licensee. Conventional loans are based on loan amounts of $165,000. Jumbo loans are based on loan amounts of $435,000. Points quoted include discount and/or origination. Lock Days: 30-60. Annual percentage rates (APRs) are based on fully indexed rates for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The APR on your specific loan may differ from the sample used. Fees reflect charges relative to the APR. If your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s value, you will be subject to private mortgage insurance, or PMI. FHA Mortgages include both UFMIP and MIP fees based on a loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. VA Mortgages include funding fees based on a loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. Bankrate, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information appearing above or the availability of rates and fees in this table. All rates, fees and other information are subject to change without notice.

Bankrate, Inc. does not own any financial institutions. Some or all of the companies appearing in this table pay a fee to appear in this table. If you are seeking a mortgage in excess of $417,000, recent legislation may enable lenders in certain locations to provide rates that are different from those shown in the table above. Sample Repayment Terms – ex. 360 monthly payments of $5.29 per $1,000 borrowed ex. 180 monthly payments of $7.56 per $1,000 borrowed.

We recommend that you contact your lender directly to determine what rates may be available to you. To appear in this table, call 800-509-4636. To report any inaccuracies, call 888-509-4636. • http://nwherald.interest.com

National Mortgage and Loan Cost Trends Rates effective as of December 9th, 2015 THIS WEEK Loan Program

Rate

Monthly Payment

30 yr fixed 15 yr fixed 30 yr jumbo 5/1 ARM 1/1 ARM

4.06 3.27 4.01 3.40 3.62

$793.45 $1,161.01 $788.69 $731.74 $752.02

LAST WEEK

3-MONTHS AGO

Rate

Monthly Payment

Rate

Monthly Payment

4.01 3.25 3.89 3.33 3.57

$788.69 $1,159.40 $777.31 $725.35 $747.39

4.05 3.23 3.92 3.24 3.79

$792.50 $1,157.80 $780.14 $717.19 $767.89

SOURCE: Bankrate.com®, for more information visit www.bankrate.com.

Bankrate National Averages are based on loan amounts of $165,000 for conforming and $435,000 for Jumbo.

Criteria includes: single family, owner-occupied, 20% downpayment with a 700 FICO score.

adno=0359084

Town & Country Mortgage

Do what makes sense

Northwest Herald

MORTGAGE GUIDE Institution

And if that isn’t motivation enough, consider this: A 2013 British study found women’s handbags carry more germs than a toilet seat.

Renovation trends put your home on cutting edge

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

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 based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of 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 toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

10 THINGS TO KNOW

By BRETT J. WEST Special to The Washington Post

draining away from the window.

Cost: $300 to $800

Rain has certainly put a damper on planned outdoor activities, but it also can have a big impact if you’re trying to sell or buy a home that has a sudden water crisis.

The truth about the bounty of rainfall is that many of the problems it causes can be prevented. Here are some simple measures to do ahead of time to prevent water intrusion:

6. Sweep away debris

1. Increase grade

Expanding the surface area of exterior drain decreases the likelihood of clogging the drain.

Cost: $1,200

The earth around the home should be sloped away from the house to divert water away. Very simply, borrow earth from three feet away from the structure and toss it against the side of the house, thus creating the slope.

Cost: None Schedule a licensed professional to clean gutters annually. A clogged rain gutter can send water cascading down the exterior wall, which can result in water entering the interior walls.

Cost: $200 annually

3. Divert down spouts

In a quick run to the local hardware store, homeowners can find a black, plastic corrugated 6-inch hose that fits around the base of the downspout. This device carries water away from the house, preventing it from seeping into the foundation.

Cost: $12 per downspout

4. Roof maintenance

Where rain is concerned, the roof is the first line of defense. Regular maintenance can preserve the life of the roof. Have a roofer check your home every five years.

Cost: $200 to $500

5. Window repairs

Proper window installation and maintenance is imperative.

Modern windows are fitted with wells and drains designed to help direct water outside the house. Improper caulking can prove disastrous by sending water into the house that should be

If you are looking to learn what is in store for the Kane County economy in 2016, don’t miss the economic forecast luncheon. The keynote speaker and panelists will provide insight into where the economy’s heading and the biggest opportunities and challenges they see facing their industries . This event will also provide networking opportunities for business professionals.

7. Expand exterior drains

8. Construct a swale ditch

Constructing a ditch and filling with landscaping rock can help divert water away from the house, especially for yards that are extraordinarily flat.

Cost: $300 to $500

9. Exterior French drain

For homes situated on slopes, an exterior French drain including a subterranean ditch with a black, perforated, corrugated hose, can be used to divert surface water away from the house.

Cost: $300 to $1,500

Moderator

Keynote Speaker

Nicole Martin

Nationally renowned speaker and author Nicole Martin is the CEO and founder of HRBoost, LLC, a firm dedicated to bringing out the best, brightest and shining light on the human side of profitability.

Panelist

Kathy Balcazar Editor Kane County Chronicle

Panelist

Panelist

Stacey Ekstrom President and CEO St. Charles Chamber of Commerce

Jerry Peck Associate Director of Government Affairs Illinois Manufacturers Association

Panelist

Austin Dempsey VP BEI Properties Batavia

Panelist

10. Install a sump pump

When all else fails, installing a sump pump may be the solution. … As the water table increases, a sump pump activates and transports water away from the home.

Cost: $2,500 to $7,000 A couple hundred dollars of prevention and maintenance each year can deter minor problems. The result of ignoring the problem, however, multiplies costs of repair with each rain incident. When it comes to keeping the home sealed and operational, it’s best to hire skilled contractors with impeccable references who are licensed to do what is needed, and who are bonded and insured, so if the work results in disaster you know you’re protected.

Brett J. West, a real estate agent with McEnearney Associates in Washington, writes about housing issues.

Craig Larsen President AHC Advisors St. Charles

PRESENTING SPONSOR

LUNCHEON SPONSOR

Michael R. Algrim Director of Commercial Banking First National Bank

HOSTED BY

If you are interested in purchasing tickets online visit http://kcceconomicforecast2016.eventbrite.com or contact Kelly Buchanan at 319-471-1202 or kbuchanan@threesixtybluesky.com. Priority reservations due

by January 18, 2016. There will be no refunds once tickets are purchased.

• Thursday, December 17, 2015

2. Clean rain gutters

Especially during spring and fall, when trees emit pollen in tumbleweed fashion and drop their leaves en masse, it is critical to diligently sweep outdoor surfaces weekly, especially patios and door wells to prevent the collection of debris clogging exterior drains.

Cost: None

Registration: 11:00-11:30 am Luncheon: 11:30-1:15 pm Location: Eagle Brook Country Club 2288 Fargo Blvd. Geneva Tickets are $35 per person Table of 8 - $280/Table of 10 - $350

7 REAL ESTATE WEEKLY | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

How to keep rainwater ECONOMIC 2016 out of your home FORECAST

January 21, 2016

8

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| REAL ESTATE WEEKLY

Want to see our home YYOUR featured on this page?

Call Alex & Vicky Rullo at (630) 513-1771

CLASSIC OLD AND CHARMING! Totally and beautifully updated vintage home keeping with all the original charm and character of yesteryear! 10ft ceilings, leaded glass windows, glistening hardwoods, deep baseboard trim, cozy built-ins, front and rear staircases…

Formal living and dining rooms; large island kitchen with Cherry cabinetry, breakfast bar peninsula and decorative pillars opening to a spacious bright dinette. Vaulted beamed family room ceiling with glass atrium door opens to a lovely patio and lush yard featured in the Batavia Garden Walk. 4 nice sized bedrooms; 3 full baths; 1st floor laundry/mud room; basement with exterior access; 3-car garage with an 850 sq ft walk-up attic… An amazing home and location! To view all photos & listing detail, Text P147450 to 85377.

adno=0359126

Batavia

Alex and Vicky Rullo

$399,700

How much is your home worth? www.FoxValleyHomeValues.com

It’s automated and it’s FREE! No need to speak to an Agent!

Great American North 630•513•1771

“THE RIGHT REALTOR MAKES A DIFFERENCE”

rullos@rullos.com • www.therulloteam.com

RE/MAX Top 20 Realtor in Illinois 18 Consecutive Years!

Scan this QR code with your Smart Phone for more!