KCC-12-25-2013

Kane County

CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013 | 50 CENTS | KCCHRONICLE.COM

GIVING BACK SPIRIT OF THE SEASON EVIDENT AT AREA PANTRIES. PAGE 4 Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

United States Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Patrick Kackert, Kane County coordinator for Toys for Tots, helps distribute toys to clients of the St. Peter Food Pantry in Geneva.

IN NEWS

IN NEWS

FIVE HURT IN 2-CAR CRASH IN GENEVA

BIRD WATCH

CHRISTMAS

Bald eagles make themselves at home in Batavia woman’s yard. Page 10

Vol. 24, Issue 250

Page 6

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Merry Christmas!

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • * Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| GETTING STARTED

2

Celebrating Christmas at Marklund Hyde Center

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

DID YOU WIN? Illinois Lottery Pick 3 Midday: 3-1-0 Pick 3 Evening: 5-2-6 Pick 4 Midday: 0-4-3-3 Pick 4 Evening: 7-4-7-5 Lucky Day Lotto Midday: 7-22-26-33-36 Lucky Day Lotto Evening: 11-22-29-33-36 Lotto: 1-12-16-17-21-41 (18) Lotto jackpot: $9 million ABOVE: Gwen Miller, 6, laughs with Marklund Hyde Center client Robyn as they open gifts.

Mega Millions Numbers: 23-34-53-58-73 Megaball: 2 Megaplier: 3 Est. jackpot: $22 million

BELOW: Volunteer Lynne Rex comforts Robyn as they open gifts. To view a photo list from this event, visit KCChronicle.com.

Powerball Est. jackpot: $74 million

Photos by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

TOP RIGHT: Volunteers Jen Rasmussen (far left), Carly Rasmussen, 11, and Jim Rasmussen of Geneva help Marklund Hyde Center client Cindy open Christmas gifts Tuesday at the Geneva facility.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Carly and Jimmy Rasmussen help Marklund Hyde Center client Cindy open gifts.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Jim (far left), Carly, Jimmy and Jen Rasmussen celebrate with a Marklund Hyde Center client.

8SOUND OFF The Kane County Chronicle’s Sound Off number is 630845-5240. Callers may speak on topics anonymously, but messages should be kept to a maximum of 60 seconds. We will not print calls commenting on signed Letters to the Editor.

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CONTACT US

FACE TIME WITH KELLY FOSTER

Where did you grow up?

All over California, and then we moved to Illinois in 1970.

Who would play you in the movie of your life? Antho-

ny Edwards, the actor who played Dr. Green on “ER.” First job? A stock boy at Oswald’s Pharmacy in Naperville while I was in high school.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? President. I did not

become that. ... I work in computers. This is a part-

time job.

A movie you’d recommend? “Galaxy Quest” Favorite charity? Heifer

International Do you speak another language? German Favorite local restaurant?

The Early Light Café by the bike path in Geneva. They’re closed for the season now.

What is an interesting factoid about yourself? While

I was a freshman in college at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., my roommate and I hopped a freight train up to Portland. The railroad police were looking for us, so we hid in a nook in the train car and jumped off at a curve and didn’t get caught. We hitchhiked back.

Out About and

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

Kane County Audubon Society to meet WHAT: Kane County Audubon Society meeting WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 8 WHERE: Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles INFORMATION: The meeting will feature “Birds in Art” by accomplished artist Peggy McNamara. For information, contact Bob Andrini at 630-584-8386.

February Sky to perform in Geneva WHAT: An evening of folk music performed by February Sky WHEN: 8 to 10 p.m. Jan. 10 WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S. Second St., Geneva INFORMATION: February Sky specializes in traditional ballads, original songs and Celtic tunes from England, Ireland and Scotland. Admission is free. For information, visit www.Februarysky.com.

Chapel to host ‘Meet the Mormons’ event Jan. 12 WHAT: “Meet the Mormons” event WHERE: The Latter-Day Saints chapel at 429 Old Kirk Road in Geneva WHEN: 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 12 INFORMATION: Members will discuss some of their basic beliefs and share a book that has changed their lives. Light refreshments will be served.

Primrose Farm Park offering holiday sleigh rides WHAT: Holiday sleigh rides WHEN: Between 6 and 8 p.m. Thurs-

must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Elburn Lions Club invites public to bingo WHAT: Weekly bingo events WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Fridays WHERE: The clubhouse at 500 Filmore St. in Elburn INFORMATION: The Elburn Lions Club invites the public to its weekly bingo events. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Proceeds go toward Elburn Lions charities for the sight and hearing impaired. Call 630-365-6315 for information.

day to Saturday and Jan. 3 to 4 WHERE: Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles Township INFORMATION: Advance registration is required. Visit www.primrosefarmpark. com. The cost is $10 for St. Charles Park District residents and $15 for nonresidents. Children ages 1 and younger are admitted free, and those 14 and younger

TODAY’S WEB POLL Did you get something that you wanted for Christmas this year?

VOTE ONLINE | Voice your opinion at KCChronicle.com. Follow us at twitter.com/kcchronicle, or become a fan on Facebook.

The Kane County Chronicle and KCChronicle.com are a division of Shaw Media, 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2, St. Charles, IL 60174.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2013 The Kane County Chronicle.

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GETTING STARTED | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Lisle resident Kelly Foster, 57, was working at What’s Your Consignment in Geneva when he answered nine questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

3

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

4

Christmas spirit inspires giving Local pantries, other charities see swell of action this season

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com The clients of Between Friends, a Sugar Grove food pantry, came for their Christmas dinners – and many were pleasantly surprised to find they also could choose new toys and books for their children in a Secret Santa Shop.

This was the second year Between Friends teamed up with other charitable efforts during the holidays to support those who need some extra help at Christmas, said Melisa Taylor of Sugar Grove.

Taylor, a Kane County board member, runs the Between Friends pantry that serves the Kaneland area.

“It was a huge success last year,” Taylor said. “They took all the toys and books they collected ... and if they brought their children to the pantry with them, we distracted the children so Mom could do a little Christmas shopping. They carried things out in black garbage bags with the food so the kids won’t see.”

Taylor – like many volunteers and charitable groups in the Fox Valley – embraces a spirit of giving so that others facing financial challenges have a good holiday today on Christmas Day. But Taylor also is matter-of-fact in how she views the pantry and its charitable works during any given week, including the one around Christmas.

“In life, everyone of us is going to fall flat on our face,” Taylor said is what she tells new clients. “Some went down yesterday; some are going down today; or they’re going down tomorrow. We help pick ‘em up.”

••• The idea for the Secret Santa Shop came from Rachel Muckerheide of Sugar Grove.

“We were just a ‘mom network’ – a bunch of moms involved in a toy and book drive,” Muckerheide said.

“I called upon a few of my friends in different neighbor-

hoods and we just put a box out and people dropped their stuff in it.”

Muckerheide said she hosted a similar drive to support the women and children at Mutual Ground, but after seeing how much support the organization gets, she said she cast about for another area of need – and found it by partnering with the pantry.

“In this economy, everybody is just underwater in one way or another,” Muckerheide said. “This is just one less thing [for them] to worry about.”

Joe Kryszak of Elburn collected the books for the Secret Santa Shop through the Elburn Lions for Literacy outreach.

“We concentrate on kids, and we concentrate on needy kids,” Kryszak said. “We got a list by age and gender, and we took them to the libraries ... and the librarians picked out the books.”

Kryszak said he is inspired to help out at Christmas, and any other time, because helping makes him feel good.

“I helped out the Elburn Lions once by prepping the chicken on a Sunday afternoon for a picnic,” Kryszak said. “Something funny happened. I felt good about myself. The Lions is not a service organization – it’s a feel good club.”

••• While the Between Friends pantry served nearly 100 families for Christmas, St. Peter Catholic Church’s Food Pantry in Geneva served about 350 families and saw that

Mary Beth Nolan for Shaw Media

Volunteers Sammie McCannon and Mary Ochsenschlager help a client select food and diapers Thursday at Between Friends pantry in Sugar Grove. about 375 children got toys from the Toys for Tots program, spokeswoman Rama Caney said.

“Between our school and the Knights of Columbus and a couple of parish families, we will be taking care of Christmas presents for 13 families,” Caney said.

The church covers needs for many through various

“We have the Giving Tree, which starts right after Thanksgiving,” Cooper said.

“Parishioners take a tag from our tree and buy whatever it says and bring it back. This [past] Sunday after Mass, about 3,000 gifts were taken to six charities and they distribute them to their clients.”

The items sought include the simplest of things, such as hats and mittens, watches, toiletries, games and batteries.

“Things you don’t think of – but batteries are expensive,” Cooper said. “People need them to maintain alarm clocks and flashlights.”

Giving Tree items go to Hesed House in Aurora, the Fox Valley Pregnancy Center, Elgin Mental Health Center, the Visiting Nurse Association of Fox Valley, Youth Services Bureau – formerly called Catholic Charities – and Geneva Nursing and Rehab Center.

“Personally, it’s a wonderful service opportunity,” Cooper said. “We have three little kids, and we do this with another family that has older kids. It helps a lot of people, and everyone can participate in it. That’s why we do it.”

giving opportunities, said Lisa Cooper of Geneva.

See SPIRIT, page 9

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Seven-Day Forecast

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

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

Variable clouds, Partly sunny and Not as cold with Partly sunny and Windy and colder frigid clouds and sun breezy with partial snow showers; sunshine chilly

Bill Bellis Chief Meteorologist

25 11

15 15

27 18

33 13

Tri-Cities Almanac

18 -7

MON

TUE

Colder with sunshine and patchy clouds

Mostly cloudy and frigid with flurries

55

5-3

Harvard

23/7 McHenry Statistics through 4 p.m. yesterday Belvidere 24/9 Temperatures Waukegan 24/9 25/9 High/low ....................................... 10°/-6° Normal high ......................................... 32° Rockford Crystal Lake Deerfield Record high .............................. 55° (1982) Algonquin 24/9 25/11 25/12 26/10 Normal low .......................................... 18° Hampshire Record low ............................. -22° (1983) Schaumburg 25/11 Elgin 25/12 Peak wind .............................. W at 14 mph 26/10 DeKalb Precipitation 25/11 Tri-Cities Chicago 24 hours through 4 p.m. yest. ........... 0.00” 25/11 26/14 Month to date ................................... 0.88” Normal month to date ....................... 1.80” Oak Park Year to date .................................... 35.40” 27/14 Aurora Normal year to date ........................ 37.29” Dixon 26/10

UV Index

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

26/10

Sandwich 26/11

Orland Park 24/14

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 Tuesday

City Arlington Hts Aurora Deerfield Des Plaines Elgin Gary Hammond Janesville

Today Hi Lo W 25 12 sf 26 10 sf 25 12 sf 25 14 sf 26 10 sf 29 15 sf 32 21 sf 24 8 sf

Thursday Hi Lo W 17 15 pc 16 15 pc 17 15 pc 18 15 pc 15 15 pc 22 20 pc 32 22 s 13 13 pc

City Kankakee Kenosha La Salle Morris Munster Naperville Tinley Park Waukegan

Today Hi Lo W 28 16 sf 25 8 sf 27 13 sf 26 14 sf 26 16 sf 26 12 sf 25 14 sf 25 9 sf

Thursday Hi Lo W 25 19 pc 12 11 pc 23 19 pc 23 18 pc 23 18 pc 17 16 pc 21 17 pc 14 12 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 Record cold gripped the East and the Ohio Valley Christmas Day of 1983. Daily record low temperatures were set in 124 cities in 24 states. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati dropped to 12 degrees below zero; Philadelphia hit 1 degree.

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

Station Fld Prs Chg Station Fld Prs Chg Algonquin................. 3....... 1.37...... -0.14 Montgomery........... 13..... 11.03...... -0.25 Burlington, WI ........ 11....... 6.68...... -0.01 New Munster, WI .... 19....... 7.20..... +0.38 Dayton ................... 12....... 5.94...... -0.24 Princeton .............. 9.5........ N.A..........N.A. McHenry .................. 4....... 1.06...... -0.34 Waukesha ................ 6....... 3.09..... +0.27

Sun and Moon Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

Today 7:19 a.m.

4:27 p.m. none 11:36 a.m.

Thursday 7:20 a.m.

4:28 p.m.

12:43 a.m.

12:07 p.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Today Hi Lo W 10 1 s 46 30 s 33 26 pc 34 27 c 32 18 pc 25 22 s 42 24 s 26 14 sf 36 24 pc 52 30 pc 42 22 pc 30 12 pc 81 70 s 60 39 pc 33 23 sf 38 17 pc 59 40 s 79 52 s

Thursday Hi Lo W 10 1 pc 53 30 pc 43 28 pc 42 31 pc 35 21 pc 38 27 sn 52 25 pc 20 16 pc 36 23 pc 55 34 s 57 29 pc 29 16 pc 82 70 s 60 36 pc 33 22 s 39 22 pc 59 40 s 81 52 pc

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 38 27 pc 78 70 sh 24 10 sf 22 -3 sf 44 26 s 54 37 pc 29 26 pc 43 20 pc 34 16 pc 70 57 pc 30 24 pc 69 46 s 30 25 c 40 25 pc 32 16 pc 63 45 s 42 35 pc 35 29 pc

Thursday Hi Lo W 39 27 s 81 68 r 11 11 pc 15 12 c 44 23 s 58 38 pc 41 30 pc 52 29 s 31 17 pc 69 56 sh 42 28 pc 69 48 s 33 20 sf 42 29 s 35 16 pc 64 45 pc 43 33 pc 45 29 pc

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

Today Hi Lo W 70 47 pc 36 28 pc 80 69 sh 66 52 pc 47 35 sh 84 73 pc 56 54 c 37 27 pc 84 73 t 75 67 c 47 40 s 26 19 sf

Thursday Hi Lo W 60 46 pc 36 26 pc 80 69 t 66 52 pc 44 35 pc 86 72 s 57 45 r 37 16 sf 83 73 t 79 67 r 49 43 c 30 14 sf

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

Today Hi Lo W 57 45 r 61 39 s 46 19 s 46 39 r 100 75 pc 72 51 s 37 24 c 58 45 pc 70 58 c 45 36 pc 50 36 r 88 76 t

Thursday Hi Lo W 61 54 sh 62 38 pc 35 16 s 43 36 r 100 68 pc 68 46 s 45 30 pc 59 44 pc 76 60 t 45 36 pc 50 39 pc 89 75 t

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

Dec 25

Jan 1

Jan 7

Jan 15

Forecasts and graphics, except WFLD forecasts, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2013

Wishing you the very best this Holiday Season!

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Regional Weather

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

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WEATHER | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

TODAY

National Weather

6

Pre-Lit LED Artificial Christmas Trees Manufacturer’s Showroom – Open to the Public Open Every Day from 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

Five people were injured Tuesday in a two-car crash at Fargo Boulevard and Randall Road.

Five injured in two-car crash

By ASHLEY SLOBODA asloboda@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Five people were injured Tuesday morning in a two-car crash along Randall Road, Geneva Police Cmdr. Eric Passarelli said in an email.

Preliminary reports indicate one vehicle turned left in front of another vehicle at Randall Road and Fargo Boulevard

in Geneva, Passarelli said.

Emergency units were called to the scene shortly before 9 a.m.

Extrication was needed, but none of the injuries were life threatening, Passarelli said. He noted people were taken to Delnor Hospital in Geneva for treatment.

Additional information was not available by mid-morning Tuesday.

8LOCAL BRIEF Auditions being held for ‘Snow White’ in St. Charles ST. CHARLES – Auditions for “Snow White” are open to those in first through fourth grade at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Auditions will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 19, and from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 21.

Participants should prepare

a 30-second monologue and approximately 32 bars of a song. Bring backing tracks on CD and a photo.

Bring a resume if you have one.

For information, visit www. selfoundation.org/auditions, email info@selfoundation.org or call Tracy at 630-234-9506.

– Kane County Chronicle

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

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Hospitals face unknown reimbursements under health law

By ASHLEY SLOBODA asloboda@shawmedia.com and JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com

This is an occasional series from the Kane County Chronicle that will examine the multiple changes to health care in America in 2014 due to the federal Affordable Care Act. because the law requires all citizens to be covered. Illinois hospitals alone tallied more than $1.5 billion in uncompensated care in 2012.

“As more people get coverage the hospital’s uncompensated cost goes down, theoretically, over time,” Chun said. “But we haven’t seen the beginning of the coverage yet, so we’re not going to see the impact right away. We have to see how it plays out.”

While coverage under plans purchased through the state marketplace does not start until Jan. 1, the reduction in Medicare reimbursements began when the law was signed in 2010.

Locally, the $155 billion reduction in Medicare payments nationwide will – over 10 years – have an $88 million impact on Cadence Health,

ELGIN – The Elgin Public Museum’s has planned its winter holiday exhibition, which features displays and objects of traditional holiday significance from 18 displays.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 3 to 11 years old. Touching on Traditions will be open to the public weekends in December.

General hours are noon to 4 p.m. at the museum building located in Elgin’s Lords Park at

pecially with Medicaid and Medicare patients. Hospitals will suffer greater reductions in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements if those patients are readmitted within a certain time frame, even if it is for a different illness or disease.

CDH is one of only seven hospitals in Illinois that hasn’t been penalized in the two years this program has been in place, Pressley said.

“One of the key things that we do is assess patients when they come to us for risk of readmission,” she said, noting preventative measures might include home visits and monitoring whether patients have followed up with their primary care physician and are taking their prescription medicines.

Those interested in insurance through the marketplace can access plans and information at www.getcoveredillinois.org.

GENEVA PLACE A Covenant Retirement Community Covenant Retirement Communities is a ministryy of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

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8LOCAL BRIEFS Elgin museum plans holiday exhibition

bers had a half-day training session on the topic so they can refer individuals to the appropriate resources. Cadence also has provided information about the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace on its website.

“As the federal site becomes more functional, we’re having more questions,” Pressley said.

Estimates show that 69,419 Kane County residents younger than 65 years old are uninsured, according to the Kane County Health Department.

Although the available options differ greatly, plans are divided into four levels – bronze, silver, gold and platinum – that offer different levels of coverage and services based on factors such as age and income.

Even after more people become insured, hospitals have to take greater care in limiting readmissions, es-

225 Grand Blvd., Elgin. For information, visit www.elginpublicmuseum.org.

Literacy volunteers to give tutorials in January ST. CHARLES – Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley needs volunteers to help teach English to adults who are waiting to learn.

A free, four-session tutor training workshop will be offered from 6:30 to 9 p.m..

Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 20, 22, 27 and 29, at the St.

Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles.

Volunteers do not need to know a second language or have a teaching background to be effective. Students say that the best tutors have patience and give practical information.

Volunteer tutors teach for one hour each week at a time and public location that is convenient.

To register for the January workshop or for a future workshop, visit www.lvfv.org or call Peg Coker at 630-584-4428.

–Kane County Chronicle

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• Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Illinois hospitals have $8 billion hanging in the balance.

If residents without health insurance follow the new law and begin seeking coverage Jan. 1, the potential financial blow could be avoided. But if too many residents continue to go uninsured and opt to pay fines – or estimates about how much uninsured patients have cost hospitals are inaccurate – billions could be lost.

A potentially costly Medicare assumption was built into the Affordable Care Act that has health care providers anxious for the insurance plans entered into through the new state marketplace to kick in Jan 1.

Danny Chun, spokesman for the Illinois Hospital Association, said an $8 billion reduction in Medicare reimbursements for Illinois hospitals – and a $155 billion reduction nationally – will take place between 2010 and 2020.

The theory, he said, is hospitals will be able to offset that cost as they spend less on uninsured patients each year

EYE ON THE

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

which operates Delnor Hospital in Geneva and Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, said Tammy Pressley, director of community, government and public affairs for Cadence.

Additionally, she said, the automatic federal spending cuts this year – the sequester – further reduced Cadence’s reimbursements by $26 million over 10 years.

“Suffice it to say there is tremendous downward pressure on Medicare reimbursements,” Pressley said. “That does challenge hospitals to continue to provide excellent care with lowered reimbursements.”

Last year, Pressley said, Cadence Health’s uncompensated care – charity care, Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls and accounts written off due to patients’ inability to pay – totaled $137 million. The health system will look for the charity care to decrease as the implementation of the Affordable Care Act progresses, she said.

Area hospitals have been proactive in educating residents about insurance options through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace. At Cadence, for example, Pressley said staff mem-

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Billion-dollar questions

7

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

8

MAPLE PARK

Police reach Torch Run goal

By ASHLEY SLOBODA asloboda@shawmedia.com MAPLE PARK – The Maple Park Police Department had one goal this year for its participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run: to raise the most money in the state.

Although it was up against some heavy hitters – such as the Illinois State Police – the department of seven officers pulled through, Chief Mike Acosta said.

But, he noted, the Maple Park Police Department couldn’t have raised more than $63,000 without the help of others who believe in Special Olympics Illinois, which the Torch Run benefits.

Colleen MacRunnels was among those who helped the department.

The Elburn resident said she assisted the Illinois Department of Corrections with its Torch Run efforts when she was employed with the agency.

She reached out to Maple Park when she retired from the IDOC, she said, describing herself as someone who believes in Special Olympics.

“If you see these kids … .

They’re just such loving kids.

How can you not help them?”

MacRunnels said. “It just gives them an opportunity to participate in something they wouldn’t be able to if we didn’t do fundraisers.”

The Torch Run in Illinois

has grown from an event that raised about $14,000 in 1986 to a fundraising effort that nearly hit the $3 million mark in 2012, according to the 2012 brochure.

About 3,000 officers from every branch of law enforcement – including local police officers and FBI agents – are involved with the Torch Run, which aims to raise money and gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois.

“It’s a beautiful cause,” Acosta said. “We look forward to next year’s fundraising season. Hopefully, we get the next goal, which is to be the biggest donation ever in Illinois’ history.”

Setting the all-time record would take about $13,000 more than was raised this year, Acosta said. Maybe, he said, the department could even go up to $100,000.

MacRunnels said $100,000 is a doable goal depending on sponsors and event attendees.

She encouraged people to call her at 630-365-2943 with ideas for – or questions about – the Torch Run, which begins in February.

For this year’s achievement, the Maple Park Police Department will be first on the 2014 Torch Run shirt and will get a trophy, likely in February, Acosta said. He said the department plans to show it off.

“It will be traveling the village because,” he said, “it belongs to the village.”

8LOCAL BRIEF Habitat restoration day planned for Saturday SUGAR GROVE – A habitat restoration work day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, 5S660 Bliss Road, Sugar Grove.

Participants will be cutting and stacking invasive brush. Participants should dress appropriately in layers, sturdy, warm shoes and work gloves. Refreshments

will be offered at the break.

Children younger than 14 should be accompanied by an adult.

The work day will be canceled if the temperature is 18 degrees or lower.

For information, send email to maryoxie@sbcglobal.net or call Rob Cleave at the Kane County Forest Preserve at 630-2325980.

– Kane County Chronicle

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SIGN UP ONLINE TODAY KCChronicle.com/Email KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE. SERVING THE TRI-CITIES AND KANELAND SINCE 1881.

By NICOLE WESKERNA nweskerna@shawmedia.com The local housing market in the Tri-Cities and Kane County saw some year-overyear improvements in November that included increases in home sale prices.

According to data from the Illinois Association of Realtors, Kane County was one of 39 counties in Illinois that showed year-over-year median price increases, which were up 16.7 percent to $160,500.

Some year-over-year improvements also hit the Tri-Cities housing market,

but not in all areas. While the number of homes sold may have increased, home prices may have decreased, or vice versa.

In Geneva, 22 detached single-family homes were under contract to be sold traditionally in November 2013, up from 21 sold during that time in 2012, according to data from the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors. Traditional home sales mean homes were not real estate-owned or short sales.

Home sales in Geneva that closed in November 2013 were slightly higher than the previous November, going from 22

to 23 homes.

Traditional home sale prices dropped by 6.8 percent from 2012 to 2013 in Geneva, dropping from $321,288 to $299,500.

However, median home prices in 2013 were still more than they were in 2011, when the median price was $279,750.

Detached single-family homes that were under contract to be sold in St. Charles increased 41.4 percent from November 2012, a trend that continued from 2011 to 2012, when home sales increased by 61.1 percent. A total of 56 homes were sold in November 2013 in St. Charles, including real estate-owned and short

sales. The number of home sales that closed in November 2012 compared to November 2013 stayed flat at 42 homes.

Home sale prices in St. Charles saw marginal increases for detached single-family homes sold traditionally. The median sale price of those types of homes was $292,500 in November 2013, up less than a percentage point from November 2012, when the median price was $292,250. Real estate-owned and short sale home sale prices decreased by 13.5 percent and 23.8 percent, respectively, from November 2012 to November 2013.

Traditional sales of de-

tached single-family homes in Batavia more than doubled from November 2012 to November 2013, and the number of homes under contract to be sold doubled. Six home sales closed in November 2012, while 14 home sales closed in November 2013. Eight homes were under contract to be sold in Batavia in November 2012, while 16 were under contract to be sold in November 2013.

Median home prices for attached single-family homes in Batavia also increased by 25 percent from November 2012 to November 2013, going from $155,000 to $194,200.

8OBITUARIES Died: Dec. 19, 2013 ST. CHARLES – Jack L. Hazel of St. Charles died after a short illness.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jeanne; son, Stephen; and daughter, Maleah.

Please sign the guest book at www.legacy.com/kcchronicle.

8FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Emily Wulfkuhle (left) and Linda Rauch, both of Geneva, distribute food for clients at the St. Peter Food Pantry in Geneva.

Spirit of the season evident at area pantries • SPIRIT Continued from page 4 Betsy Metcalfe of Geneva, another St. Peter volunteer, helped manage the Christmas distribution of Toys for Tots through the U.S. Marine Corps, in connection with their food pantry.

She said they distributed about 200 toys to 250 families.

“Our pantry was 30 years old this May, and it’s been a growing ministry, especially with the way the economy is,” Metcalfe said. “This was our first year to do Toys for Tots. It was a new learning experience, but very rewarding.”

The effort always requires the help of lots of volunteers, Metcalfe said, and this year was no exception.

“Some of us have come from that [needing help], and now it’s time to give it forward,” Metcalfe said. “Some who volunteer with us ... say, ‘Life has been good to me. I’d like to help.’ ”

Barbara “Barb” Crump: A closed casket visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate her life will be at 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 28, at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. The Rev. Carl Gray, pastor of the church, will officiate. Private family interment will follow at Garfield Cemetery in St. Charles.

Dorothy G. Jezior: A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 28, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2900 E. Main St., St. Charles. The

Obituary deadline The deadline for obituary notices is 4 p.m. for the next day’s edition. Obituaries can be emailed to obits@ kcchronicle.com. For more information, contact news editor Al Lagattolla at alagattolla@shawmedia.com. visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 27, at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St. (at the corner of Routes 25 and 64), St. Charles. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park in Elgin.

8LOCAL BRIEF Art on display at shop BATAVIA – Limestone Coffee and Tea Shop, 8 W. Wilson St., Batavia, is promoting local artists with photography by D Walz and original art by Kevin Hoepper. Walz, a Batavia resident, offers framed local and

national landscapes. Hoepper offers framed, acrylic paintings of seascapes and cityscapes from around the world. The exhibit will continue through December. A selection of coffee, tea and sandwiches are available at the shop.

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9

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Homes sales, prices improve in some Kane County areas

10

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP

Resident scares intruder away Patio door pried open, police say

By ASHLEY SLOBODA asloboda@shawmedia.com

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Bald eagles are seen along the Fox River in Batavia.

Bald eagles make themselves at home in Batavia woman’s yard

By ERIC SCHELKOPF eschelkopf@shawmedia.com BATAVIA – In recent weeks, Batavia resident Jamie Palmer has been treated to a majestic sight – bald eagles roosting in two trees in her backyard.

Since 1992, Palmer has lived on Woodland Avenue near the Fox River. For whatever reason, Palmer said she has been seeing more eagles than usual this winter.

“You can see them swooping down into the Fox River to capture a fish,” Palmer said.

“It’s incredible to see them up close. The two trees are 100 feet from my back window.”

She uses binoculars to catch their yellow beaks and white feathers in exquisite detail.

The bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, is the

only eagle unique to the North American continent.

Palmer said she typically sees one to four eagles a day perched in her trees. According to the website www.eaglenature.com, bald eagles generally choose to roost in large trees in protected places within eight miles of their feeding grounds.

Bald eagles also have been spotted recently in other parts of the county. The Kane County Audubon Society reported on its website, www.kanecountyaudubon.org, that four eagles were seen Sunday, flying over the Fox River in downtown St. Charles near the Main Street Bridge, and four eagles were spotted on Dec. 15 flying over the Fox River in Geneva near Island Park.

Living near the Fox River, Palmer has a bird’s-eye view of

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“In the summer, I see snapping turtles walking up my yard to lay eggs,” she said.

“There is so much that is going on all the time.”

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP – A St. Charles Township resident apparently scared off a burglar last week as he made his way through her house, according to a Kane County Sheriff’s Office report.

The woman, who lives in the 7N000 block of Hickory Lane, told police that, between 30-second pauses, someone rang her doorbell about eight times just before 10 a.m. Dec. 15.

Because she wasn’t expecting visitors, the resident stayed upstairs and ignored the bell, police said.

Moments later, she reportedly heard noises downstairs.

She looked out her window and saw a white car parked, running, in front of her house with a man in the

driver’s seat, police said.

She then heard someone come up the stairs, but the person stopped, retreated and left the house after she called out, “Who’s there?” police reported.

The woman reportedly saw the intruder get in the car, which left toward Route 25.

She described the intruder as very slender with facial hair, though not yet a full beard. He wore a dark knit hat, dark waist-length jacket and blue skinny jeans.

The car was described as white with thin, light blue pin stripes on the hood. It had two doors and had damage on the front left corner and headlamp assembly area.

About $30 was reported stolen. It appeared a patio door was pried open by a tool, such as a screwdriver, police reported.

By ERIC SCHELKOPF eschelkopf@shawmedia.com Renee Dee wants parents to know that bullying can occur in many forms.

“The scariest bully now is the cyberbully,” said Dee, founder of the Kaneland area group Promoting Enrichment and Kindness – or PEAK for Kids.

PEAK and the NEH Foundation, an anti-hazing organization in Oswego, on Feb. 8 will host Bowling Against Bullying at Parkside Lanes, 34W185 Montgomery Road, Aurora. The event will start at 7:30 p.m.

The event, which is designed for parents, will feature bowling, raffles and guest speakers. All proceeds will go

Know more Want more information about the Bowling Against Bullying event at Parkside Lanes in Aurora on Feb. 8?

Visit peakforkids.org.

Joliet author Amy Logan will talk about her anti-bullying book, “A Girl With A Cape.”

Dee said she hopes the

toward promoting and inspiring kindness in the Kaneland and Oswego areas.

As part of the event, a weeklong stay at a luxury northern Wisconsin getaway will be raffled off. Early registration is $30 a person until Jan. 15. After that, the cost will increase to $40 a person.

Bowling for Bullying will feature several speakers, including Jeff Bean, a police officer who will speak about cyberbullying. In addition,

event will provide awareness and networking opportunities.

“It is a way to build com-

munity by having this event,” she said. “It’s about raising awareness and providing a conversation.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S

Come celebrate New Year’s Eve with us!

Lazarus House opens its doors today for potluck ST. CHARLES – Lazarus House invites the public for food and fellowship at its annual Christmas brunch at noon Christmas Day at the Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles. This brunch is like an extended family potluck and the more “family,” the merrier, Lazarus House stated in a news release.

For those able to cook, a dish to pass is appreciated. Food should arrive between 11:15

and 11:45 a.m. in a disposable container, ready to serve at noon. Entrees, side dishes and appetizers are welcome.

For information, visit www. lazarushouseonline.com. For those who wish to attend and/ or provide a special dish, a courtesy RSVP is appreciated, but not required.

To RSVP, email juliep@lazarushouseonline.com or call Lazarus House at 630-587-2144 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

– Kane County Chronicle

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8LOCAL BRIEF

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Bowling Against Bullying event to raise awareness

11

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

12

8POLICE REPORTS Elburn • Nicholas Stephen Floro, 23, of the 500 block of Covered Bridge Drive, Elgin, was charged Saturday, Nov. 23, with battery after pushing someone during an argument.

• Daniel J. Crum, 33, of West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, was charged Thursday, Nov. 28, with driving with a suspended license.

• Austin Thomas Dwiggins, 22, of Harter Road, Maple Park, was charged Thursday, Nov. 28, with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating an uninsured vehicle, improper lane use, failure to dim headlights and possession of less than 2.5 grams of marijuana.

• Carlos F. Delatorre, no age available, of East Washington Street, West Chicago, was charged on Sunday, Dec. 8, with criminal damage to state-supported property after throwing a cordless GE 2.4 ghz phone owned by the police department on the floor and breaking it. Police were contacted by a cab driver who said Delatorre did not have money to pay for a cab ride.

Delatorre ran away from police and was found hiding in some bushes, according to police. Delatorre was taken to the Elburn Police Station, where he was allowed to make a phone call using the cordless phone. Delatorre also was charged with theft of services for failing to pay $21.25 for a cab ride and was also arrested on a failure-to-appear warrant out of Chicago.

Sugar Grove • Jose Cervantes-Lopez, 35, of the 7800 block of Latrobe Street, Burbank, was charged Wednesday, Nov. 27, with failure to obtain appropriate registration and driving with a revoked license.

• A complaint was filed on Friday, Nov. 29, stating that someone had taken a chair and placed it beneath a bedroom window at a home in the 100 block of Snow Street in Sugar Grove. Police advised the homeowner to install a motion light or outdoor security camera.

• Police were contacted about a suspicious phone call on Friday, Nov. 29, to a resident in the 400 block of Brookhaven Circle in Sugar Grove. The male caller stated that the complainant had signed up for a bank loan and also stated that he was the complainant’s boyfriend.

The complainant asked the male to stop calling and contacted police.

Police noted that the male called

the complainant about four times while police were on the scene.

• A volunteer with the Sugar Grove Park District reported criminal damage on Saturday, Nov. 30, to property at 30 S. Main St., Sugar Grove. Two aluminum park benches had been damaged within the past two days.

They may have been damaged by skate wheels, according to police.

The estimated damage was $50.

• Sugar Grove police cited three businesses on Sunday, Dec. 1, following a tobacco compliance check through the 2014 Kids Can’t Buy ‘Em Here program. Those cited include Teresa Quiroz at Citgo Gas Station, Wolfgang Augusten of Village Liquors and Nick Patel of the Sugar Grove Tobacco Shop. Each retailer sold a 15-year-old agent one pack of cigarettes, according to police. Warning letters were sent to noncompliant businesses and congratulatory letters were sent to three businesses that were in compliance.

• Police received a report on Monday, Dec. 2, from a victim stating that someone made fraudulent charges from his bank account.

Purchases were made in Georgia, West Virginia and online, according to police.

• Copper piping was reported stolen sometime between Nov. 20 and Dec. 2 from a home in the 300 block of Snow Street, Sugar Grove.

The estimated value of the theft was $500.

• A complainant reported to police on Wednesday, Dec. 4, that someone had broken into her home in the 1800 block of Fays Lane, Sugar Grove, on Aug. 16 while she was out of town and stole her wedding ring set. She approximated the replacement value at $7,000, according to police.

• A report of credit card fraud was filed on Saturday, Dec. 7, from a victim who said someone made unauthorized charges totaling about $150.

• Jason Atkins, 28, of the 48W200 block of Country Life Drive, Maple Park, was charged Monday, Dec. 9, with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and disobeying a traffic control signal.

• Police received a report of credit card fraud on Tuesday, Dec. 10, after a complainant said someone made unauthorized online purchases totaling $265 and $128.

• Rudolph Lang Jr., 69, of the 6N100 block of Woodview Lane, St. Charles, was charged Wednesday, Dec. 18, with driving with a suspended license and driving 55 mph in a 40 mph zone.

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13

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

Merry Christmas!

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

O Holy Night

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| OPINIONS

14

OPINIONS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Taxpayers must pay fair share for state’s services To the Editor: We as taxpayers have voted out of office anyone who has tried to raise revenue (taxes) to pay for the services (roads, social, schools, regulation of quality of food, etc.) we demand.

No family could have maintained the same standard of living for 20 years with a fixed income, yet that is what we have demanded of those running the various levels of government.

As a result, the pension system has been used to subsidize the taxpayers. The Legislature has just voted, with lots of pressure from the Chicago Tribune, the mouthpiece for big corporations in the state, to have the very people who did pay their fair share into the system throughout their working lives pay to now make up the deficit.

Most pensioners do not receive big bucks, despite the rare egregious examples. Illinois has a high per capita income and medium per capita tax burden among the states. Big business does not want to pay more, yet wants all sorts of accommodations.

Taxpayers yell at anyone mentioning increases in revenue while splurging on entertainment and sports. Yes, there is always something that could be cut. Yet when do the constant cuts decrease the well-being and safety of our citizens? One can cut household spending past any hope of a decent living also.

Revenue is the answer, coupled with rigorous spending oversight. Taxpayers – citizens and businesses – must pay our fair share.

WRITING TO US The Kane County Chronicle welcomes original letters on public issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, home address and day and evening telephone numbers. We limit letters to 400 words. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity at the sole discretion of the editor. Letters can be emailed to letters@ kcchronicle.com, faxed to 630-444-1641 and mailed to Letters, Kane County Chronicle, 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2, St. Charles IL 60174.

Pat Vary DeKalb

ANOTHER VIEW

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus Note to readers – this timeless piece was written by Francis Pharcellus Church, an editorial writer for the New York Sun, in response to a letter from the daughter of a Sun reader. It originally was published Sept. 21, 1897. We reprint it today on Christmas.

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, “If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.”

Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see.

They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little.

In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and gener-

osity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.

We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.

The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus!

You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in

Editorial board Jim Ringness

Kathy Gresey Jay Schwab

Al Lagattolla Kate Schott

all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.

The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there.

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes

the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.

Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever.

A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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.

First Amendment, U.S. Bill of Rights

After a seesaw start, Kaneland girls basketball hopes to see more consistent production from its core players, writes sports reporter Kevin Druley. PAGE 20

15

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

SPORTS

TEAM BUILDING

• Wednesday, December 25, 2013

’TIS BETTER TO RECEIVE NORTHERN ILLINOIS’ MATT WILLIAMS, OF GENEVA, HAPPY ABOUT MOVE TO WIDEOUT. PAGE 18 Monica Maschak file photo – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

Northern Illinois redshirt freshman receiver Matt Williams, had two receptions for 23 yards in the Mid-American Conference championship game earlier this month.

Recovery is everywhere.

VOTE ONLINE | Voice your opinion at KCChronicle.com/preps. Follow us at twitter.com/ KaneCountyPreps, or become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/kanecountypreps.

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

16

WHAT TO WATCH

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| SPORTS

18

Pro basketball Bulls at Brooklyn, 11 a.m., ESPN, WGN Oklahoma City at New York, 1:30 p.m., ABC Miami at L.A. Lakers, 4 p.m., ABC Houston at San Antonio, 7 p.m., ESPN

KEEP UP ONLINE Want the latest from the area’s prep sports scene?

Follow our coverage online on Twitter at twitter.com/ KaneCounty Preps, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/ kanecountypreps, or head to KCChronicle.com/preps.

PREP SCHEDULE THURSDAY Rob Winner file photo – rwinner@shawmedia.com

Matt Williams, a dual-threat quarterback at Geneva as a junior and senior, started his varsity high school career as a wide receiver. Williams elected to switch to wideout at Northern Illinois University in a bid to see the field quicker.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

Williams settles in at receiver

By KEVIN DRULEY kdruley@shawmedia.com

D

eKALB – Matt Williams snagged his share of screen time during the Northern Illinois football team’s Orange Bowl appearance last season.

He pumped his arms and moved about, all in the name of aiding Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch.

As Thursday’s Poinsettia Bowl against Utah State in San Diego approaches, Williams finds he’s personifying an old adage. The more things change for the redshirt freshman from Geneva, the more things stay the same.

Even after shifting from a backup quarterback who signaled plays from the sideline to a wide receiver and punt returner, Williams still is only here to help.

“I knew none of [the other

“

I felt like I could contribute in other ways, so I went into [offensive coordinator Bob] Cole and said, ‘What can I do?’ He was like, ‘Go out and play some receiver.’ I was like, ‘All right.’ ” Matt Williams, redshirt freshman on how he could help his

team

quarterbacks] were really going to play that much because Jordan was still here,” Williams said. “I felt like I could contribute in other ways, so I went into [offensive coordinator Bob] Cole and said, ‘What can I do?’ He was like, ‘Go out and play some receiver.’ I was like, ‘All right.’ ” Williams started his varsity high school career at wide receiver as a sophomore in 2009 before quarterbacking the Vikings to a 15-6 record and a pair of playoff appearances as a junior and senior.

Huskies redshirt junior linebacker Michael Santacaterina, a fellow Geneva product, was in his final high school season when Williams debuted.

“Yeah, you couldn’t forget him,” Santacaterina said. “He was a sophomore, but he acted like he was a fifth-year senior at the time. So he had to kind of learn his place a little bit, as usual, but Matt’s a great kid, awesome kid. I love him, and he’s doing a great job so far.”

Appearing in 10 of the Huskies’ 13 games to date, Wil-

liams has six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown.

His lone score came in an Oct. 26 rout of Eastern Michigan, when the Huskies faked a jet sweep before backup Matt McIntosh found Williams on a “crack” post pattern for 36 yards.

Improvisation steered what was arguably Williams’ most important catch. With NIU and Ball State tied midway through the fourth quarter of a Nov. 13 game pivotal to the Mid-American Conference West title race, the Huskies faced a third-and-11 from their own 38-yard line.

After eluding heavy pressure, Lynch spotted Williams darting upfield and connected with him for a 25-yard gain.

NIU scored what stood up as the game-winning touchdown two plays later.

See WILLIAMS, page 19

Boys basketball: Batavia vs.

Phillips, at Elgin Tournament, 8:15 p.m.; St. Charles North vs. Bloomington at Pontiac Tournament, 1 p.m.; Geneva vs. Oak Lawn at East Aurora Tournament, 2:30 p.m.; Aurora Central Catholic vs.

Milwaukee North at East Aurora Tournament, 5:45 p.m.; Aurora Christian vs. Genoa-Kingston at Plano Tournament, 9 a.m.; Kaneland vs. Newark at Plano Tournament, 10:30 a.m.; Burlington Central vs. Somonauk/Peru St. Bede at Plano Tournament, 8:30 p.m.; St. Francis vs. Willowbrook at Glenbard West Tournament, 6:15 p.m.; Marmion vs. Belvidere at DeKalb Tournament, 7:30 p.m.

Girls basketball: Batavia vs.

Trinity at Montini Holiday Tournament, 4:45 p.m.; Geneva at Montini Holiday Tournament; St. Charles East vs. TBD at Wheaton North Tournament, TBD.; St. Charles North vs. New Trier at Dundee-Crown Tournament, 4 p.m.; Burlington Central vs. Mother McAuley at Dundee Crown Tournament, 7 p.m.; Aurora Central Catholic vs. Metea Valley at Oswego East Tournament, 1 p.m.; St. Francis vs. Mt. Assisi at Lisle Tournament, 5 p.m.; Wheaton Academy vs. Timothy Christian at Lisle Tournament, 6:30 p.m.; Aurora Christian vs. Dunlap at Dixon Tournament, 10:30 a.m.; Kaneland vs. Stillman Valley at Dixon Tournament, noon.

AUSTIN CHAON

• WILLIAMS Continued from page 18

Geneva • Junior • Wrestling Why he was selected: Chaon went 4-0 over the weekend, including winning all three matches as Geneva swept Saturday’s Kaneland quad

What do you credit to this strong start?

[Coach Tom] Chernich has had a lot of older wrestlers who have already graduated come in and help me out. For the past week, I’ve had a lot of help from the older guys, and that’s really contributed to how well I’ve been performing.

Certifying weight is such a big part of this sport. How challenging is it to lay off the sweets this time of year?

Really, it’s going to be tough to kind of say no to a lot of Christmas snacks and stuff to be on weight. But it’s also a pretty good thing, because we get two pounds [allowance] after Christmas, so it’s easier to make weight. ... All of our wrestlers are ready for the upcoming tournament [at Palatine this weekend]. We’ll definitely make an impact there.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

My favorite Christmas movie is “[National Lampoon’s] Christmas Vacation.” I [really] love that movie.

This Athlete of the Week is brought to you by

talks about playing both sports. After first indicating he would “deal with all the other stuff after the [bowl] game,” Williams later said “I’m definitely playing” baseball. His arm strength hardly has waned, and he stayed after Thursday’s practice to throw to fellow receiver Da’Ron Brown, who wanted extra reps.

Being a multisport athlete again would reconnect Williams to his high school days, which often are close at hand given Vikings coach Rob Wicinski’s status as an NIU alumnus.

Williams attended two Geneva games at Burgess Field this fall, and was reminded of his time as a receiver, quarterback and scrambling punter.

Trying the latter task for the Huskies would certainly bring Williams full circle.

Could he be so bold if Huskies special teams coordinator Kevin Kane ever had a hunch?

“I don’t know. We’ll see,” Williams said. “If it gets loose, right?”

led the Huskies with 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2012.

He went undrafted last April and made the Steelers practice squad as a free agent but was cut earlier this season.

Another former NIU play-

er currently working on a practice squad is running back Chad Spann, who’s with the Houston Texans.

Spann, the 2010 MAC MVP, signed with Houston on Dec. 11.

8SPORTS SHORT Colts sign former NIU defensive end Baxter The Indianapolis Colts have signed former Northern Illinois defensive end Alan Baxter to their practice squad, where he joins former Huskie quarterback Chandler Harnish. Baxter

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– Shaw Media

• Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Geneva junior 170-pound wrestler Austin Chaon continued an encouraging start to the season over the weekend, winning each of his four matches to help the Vikings improve to 15-2 in duals.

Chaon, the Kane County Chronicle-St. Charles Bank & Trust Athlete of the Week, spoke with Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley about the season to date, as well as a holiday favorite. The following is an edited transcript:

“That was just Jordan making a play, really,” Williams said. “I was there to catch it. It was all Jordan. He got out of a sack. I just turned an out into an up, Jordan put it out there and just made a play.”

Lynch, a senior who finished third in Heisman Trophy voting earlier this month, has had a lot on his mind lately, but the efforts of his one-time understudy aren’t forgotten.

“We ask a lot of him at receiver, and he did a good job filling the role in,” Lynch said. “He came up with a few key catches, and he’s filling that spot pretty nice.”

Cole suggested he’s open to Williams throwing his backwards hat back into the quarterback shuffle in 2014, if he so chooses. He lauds Williams’ athleticism, which was a deciding factor when Cole endorsed a position change in the summer.

“We’ll probably sit down and talk about it when the season’s over,” Cole said. “Right now, we’re just going to let him get out there and keep doing what he’s doing, because he’s helping us out a ton.”

“He’s extremely athletic, he’s got a good work ethic, knows the offense and he makes plays. When the ball gets thrown to him, the guy makes plays.”

Williams occasionally makes plays when the ball is kicked to him, too. He returned the first punt of his playing career – pee-wee or otherwise – during an Oct. 5 victory at Kent State, filling in after injuries led coaches his way.

The Huskies experimented with Williams as a punt returner in the offseason, rationalizing that his background as a baseball center fielder in high school provided a solid base. He has 84 return yards on five punts entering the Poinsettia Bowl.

Williams met with NIU football and baseball coaches in February for preliminary

19

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Huskies experimented with Williams as punt returner during the offseason

20

The

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| SPORTS

Insider A closer look at prep girls basketball

IN THE GROOVE KYRA WASHINGTON, ST. CHARLES EAST, JR., G/F What she did: Washington tallied the last six points during Thursday’s 62-59 Upstate Eight Conference crossover win at Metea Valley. She notched the decisive threepoint play with 7.1 seconds remaining.

Rob Winner file photo – rwinner@shawmedia.com

Kaneland still is jelling as a unit as veterans such as Marina Schaefer (left) get acclimated with a new crop of younger players.

NOTEWORTHY Knights focus on building On many nights, Kaneland gives public address announcer Andy Drendel a workout worthy of the well-conditioned team he’s describing.

The Knights again tout a deep rotation, but are hoping to see more consistent production from core players after a see-saw start.

“We haven’t really played together a lot,” senior center Kelly Wallner said.

“We’re just getting used to people. And now we’re building, and I think we’re going to come back in conference. I truly believe that. We are a solid team.

And once we work together and get our abilities, we have a great chance.”

Kaneland, which is part of separate holiday tournaments at conference crossover schools Ottawa and Dixon, is 1-1 in the Northern Illinois Big 12 East.

While other teammates are on board with Wallner’s assessment, there’s a special premium on getting on board in time for the Class 3A postseason.

“We’re building right now, and I think

we’ll be a lot better when February comes along, and that’s really all that matters in regionals,” junior forward Ally Van Bogaert said.

Slotted to play in the Plano Regional, Kaneland will visit the Reapers in nonconference play in mid-January and also has potential postseason foes Rochelle and Sycamore on its NI Big 12 East schedule. The Knights have split with those foes so far, losing to Sycamore on the road and topping Rochelle in Maple Park.

out.”

While North certainly be tested during the upcoming Dundee-Crown tournament, players are seeing subtle signs of improvement. The North Stars are communicating better, which has allowed them to play more in transition, which satisfies Masoncup’s style.

“I’m really proud of our team so far,” junior forward Nichole Davidson said, “and I think we’re going to be a really successful team this year.”

Warriors improving, too Recharged North making strides St. Charles North needs three more wins to match last season’s total of nine. The North Stars are confident they’ll surpass that mark in part because of coach Sean Masoncup’s energy.

Masoncup’s vigor is not much different than that of his perpetually-enthused predecessor, Colleen Backer.

“It’s really good,” sophomore forward Morgan Rosencrants said. “We love him, and everything seems to be working

Another team primed to leapfrog its 2012-13 victory total, Wheaton Academy, could reach that distinction with a strong run in the upcoming Lisle tournament.

The Warriors enter tournament play with seven wins and are coming off Saturday’s 50-31 loss at Suburban Christian Conference rival Aurora Christian.

Coach Beth Mitchell’s club won 10 games last season.

– Kevin Druley, kdruley@shawmedia.com

COACH SLY SEZ ...

The injury bug, namely the one that buzzes around the area of the knee, has pestered Geneva more than it would like in recent seasons.

News of Michaela Loebel’s re-

cent troubles on the heels of last season’s ACL tear didn’t change the trend.

Here’s hoping it’s nothing serious and the Vikings can play at full strength.

With a new up-and-coming commodity in freshman Grace Loberg, this should be an upbeat time for the team, holiday season or not.

• You can respond at kcchronicle.com/blogs/sly.

KIRSTEN MADSEN, AURORA CHRISTIAN, SO., G What she did: Madsen scored a gamehigh 15 points in Saturday’s home victory against Wheaton Academy, helping the Eagles improve to 4-0 in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold.

WHAT WE LEARNED LAST WEEK ...

Geneva freshman Grace Loberg comes-a-courtin’. A top outside hitter for a Vikings volleyball team that captured the program’s first sectional title in the fall, Loberg scored 15 points in her varsity basketball debut Friday, helping Geneva defeat Streamwood, 54-41. She added 22 points in a rout of Larkin a day later and also was the team’s leading scorer in Monday’s Montini tournament opener. Vikings coach Sarah Meadows, who hinted at Loberg’s hoops upside during open gyms, promoted her as point guard Michaela Loebel recoups from a knee injury. “She’s showing what she can do,” Meadows said.

WHAT WE’LL LEARN IN THE WEEK AHEAD ...

Whether Batavia and Geneva face off in the Montini Christmas tournament. The longtime rivals opened the event with the chance to meet in the finals, but still could square off elsewhere pending results.

21

BLACKHAWKS

By MARK LAZERUS Chicago Sun-Times

“Give him some credit,” said Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, who has continued to give more responsibility and ice time to Kruger’s line with Brandon Bollig and Ben Smith. “He’s bearing down. I think he’s gone down to the science of it.”

That means breaking down film of opposing centers and learning their tendencies, getting to know officials and how each one drops the puck, working on leverage, positioning and grip and getting some help from your wingers on the 50/50 pucks that can be the difference between a goal against or a breakout the other way.

It’s a small facet of the game with big consequences, and it took Kruger some time to appreciate that – and to act on it.

“When I came over here [from Europe], it was a big difference from what I was used to,” he said. “It takes a

little time to adjust. Yanic’s been good; he’s been really good. We work a lot during practice, so that helps. It’s gotten better and better, but it’s still an ongoing process.

You have times where you struggle, and you’re going to have days when it just feels good. It’s something you need to work on every day to be at a high level.’’

Because of the nature of his role, Kruger doesn’t have flashy numbers. Through 39 games, he has four goals and 11 assists – solid but unspectacular. But his versatility and defensive style make him an intriguing possibility for Team Sweden.

Olympic rosters all will be announced by Jan. 7, and Kruger still is hoping to make it.

“I want to play in the Olympics, for sure,” he said.

“The biggest thing you can play for is your country.

That’d be really something.”

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The possibility of joining fellow Swedes Niklas Hjalmarsson (a lock) and Johnny Oduya (a likely choice) in Sochi is tantalizing for Kruger, and he admitted the three talk about it from time to time.

But he knows the only way to get on that team is to do well with the Hawks.

And every facet he can add to his game – penalty-killing last season, faceoffs this season – makes him that much more valuable to both. ‘‘We all know that it’s coming up here,’’ Kruger said. ‘‘But there’s not much you can do, really, except playing your best hockey here. Then things like that are going to sort themselves out.”

• Mark Lazerus covers the Blackhawks for the SunTimes. He can be reached via email at mlazerus@suntimes.com.

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If Marcus Kruger is taking a faceoff, chances are it’s an important one. It’s probably in his own zone. It’s often against the opponent’s top center. Much of the time, it’s short-handed.

Win that draw, and the Blackhawks can flip the ice, kill some clock and even generate some scoring chances of their own.

Lose that draw, and the puck might be in the back of the Hawks’ net in four or five seconds.

As the man in the middle of the fourth line — which, on the Hawks’ deep roster, is actually the checking line — nearly every faceoff carries some weight.

“Most of them are in the [defensive] zone,” Kruger, 23, said. ‘‘So you really want to make sure you win it.’’

Last season, as good as

Kruger was as a defensive force and a penalty-killer, each faceoff was a dicey proposition.

He won only 46.2 percent of his draws, 71st in the league.

This season?

Under the tutelage of Yanic Perreault, one of the best faceoff men in NHL history, Kruger has turned himself into one of the best in the league, rank- Marcus Kruger ing 10th.

He’s winning 57.1 percent of his faceoffs – with his percentage consistently between 56.8 and 57.5 at home, on the road, short-handed and even strength — adding one more defensive weapon to an arsenal that might land him a spot on Sweden’s Olympic team.

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Kruger transforms into one of best in faceoffs

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| SPORTS

22

Bears’ backup QB balancing football, family

By ADAM L. JAHNS Chicago Sun-Times Josh McCown loves Christmas.

The Bears quarterback listens to Christmas music to and from Halas Hall. His house is decorated, and the Christmas tree was put up with his children weeks ago. The stockings have been hanging for Santa for a while.

But coming and going from his Winnetka home the past few weeks has been tortuous.

The Christmas lights can only brighten his day so much.

“It looks great, but the Josh energy is just McCown not there,” McCown said.

It’s because his wife, Natalie, and their four children, two daughters, ages 15 and 6, and two sons, ages 10 and 9, aren’t present. They come and go from their home in North Carolina.

“I like where each day that gets closer to Christmas, they come home and they’re a little bit more nuts,” McCown said.

“It gives you joy. You’re excited because they’re excited and sometimes it gets a little crazy where you are like, ‘All right, calm down.’ That’s what I miss the most – when it’s building.”

Family is everything to McCown, the 34-year-old who has infatuated Chicago with his amazing play in place of Jay Cutler and his overall likability. It’s his family that will play the most influential role on what happens after this season.

••• In the McCown household, their situation – a football-playing father in Chicago, while his family is several states away – is referred to as a “first-world problem.”

McCown may miss playing catch with his sons, but he stays in touch through technology, including watching his eldest daughter’s JV basketball games on his phone and talking about it with her afterward.

“He knows what her plans are on a Friday night,” Natalie said. “He knows about her first high school dance that she’s gone to.”

But that doesn’t make it any easier.

“It’s a year-to-year thing of how long is this going to be,” McCown said. “In our minds, when we commit to it, it’s for a year. So to be apart like this, it’s a tough deal, but it’s something everybody [in my family] talks about, including my daughter, my oldest especially, just sitting with her, ‘Is all this OK? Are you cool with this?’ So she’s been great with it all.

“But for me, I know that there is a time coming where it’s going to get harder and harder. I kind of have a thought process in my mind of: I don’t know if I want to do this and let her get out of my house having done this the last four years where we live apart.

“There’s not enough money in the world to justify and make it feel OK to miss those games and stuff like that. It’s a process. It’s things that we think about quite honestly moving forward in my career in the direction, ‘Are we going to keep playing?’ All those things, because it’s a real question, because those things are hard.”

••• “There is no act in [McCown],” Scott Chadwick said.

McCown’s high school coaching stint at Marvin Ridge High in North Carolina with Chadwick included three offseasons and nearly two full seasons as his NFL career pulled him away.

But when McCown was present, “he invested in the whole school,” said Chadwick, who is no longer at Marvin Ridge. McCown went to basketball and baseball games.

He flipped pancakes at school functions.

His commitment reached a point during the 2012 season, after he was cut by the Bears in August and before he was re-signed after Cutler suffered a concussion, Chadwick said, that McCown said, “ ‘I told my agent that if I get a call that it’s going to have to wait until our season’s over. I just don’t feel like at this point that I can leave the kids and I can leave you with everything. I just don’t think it would be fair to the kids to leave now.’

“That’s the kind of a guy he is.”

McCown, who tutored quarterbacks, including Chadwick’s son, Tyler, loved coaching and the players loved him.

McCown ran the scout team offense, picked up breakfast for the team and held early-morning film sessions. Marvin Ridge won 17 games and made the playoffs with McCown around in 2011 and 2012. With McCown and Chadwick gone, Marvin Ridge went 2-9 in 2013.

“We all knew he was trying to get back into the NFL, but we never felt that – ever,” said Tyler, a record-setting quarterback at Marvin Ridge.

“I learned a lot about being a quarterback from him, but probably more about being a

leader.”

••• McCown said getting traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Carolina Panthers in 2008 was “the toughest one” to deal with when it came to being away from his family.

But this season has flown by. Natalie has attended all home games, typically bringing their children along. For Christmas, his family traveled to Chicago on Saturday and will remain in town past Wednesday.

“There’s not one thing

about Chicago and the Bears that hasn’t been fun,” Natalie said. “It’s been just such an experience for him. I’m very happy to see him happy.”

The Bears are ecstatic, too.

His play – a 3-2 record in five starts and a 109.0 passer rating playing – has been a blessing, while rejuvenating the journeyman’s career.

• Adam Jahns covers the Bears for the Sun-Times and can be reached at ajahns@ suntimes.com or on Twitter @ adamjahns.

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TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), scientist; Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957), actor; Jimmy Buffett (1946), singer-songwriter; Sissy Spacek (1949), actress; Annie Lennox (1954), singer; Rickey Henderson (1958), baseball player.

– United Feature Syndicate

HOROSCOPE

By BERNICE BEDE OSOL Newspaper Enterprise Association TODAY – Center yourself and prepare for unexpected changes. If you can stay one step ahead of everyone else, you will have good fortune. Hold on to your secrets and avoid indulgence and hyperbole. Keep everything aboveboard and strive to be your best.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – What is happening around you may not be to your satisfaction. Don’t let it bother you if someone isn’t playing by the rules. If you have been fulfilling your obligations, there is no need for guilt.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – Enjoy your partner, friend or loved one, regardless of what someone else may think. Be true to yourself.

Others may disagree with your choices, but as long as you’re happy, everything will be fine.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) – Avoid brooding over the past. Keep things simple and don’t spend impulsively. Financial security and a rosy future are the gifts you should be giving yourself this year.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) – An adjustment to the way you present yourself will garner interest. Offer your services now, and you will be considered for a future venture. Take initiative and trust your instincts. Love is highlighted.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) – Look after family members who need assistance. Show initiative, and you will come up with a lucrative service you can offer down the line. Keep your ideas to yourself for now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) – Maintain a brave front and an open heart in the face of buffeting winds. You’ll please your loved ones with unique, homemade offerings. Take a trip or enjoy a party. Love is in the stars.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) – You are in for a surprise. You may get into trouble if you behave excessively. Stick to the rules and be honest. Don’t tempt fate or participate in gossip or secret encounters.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) – This festive season should be spent with someone special. Focus on love. Participating in volunteer or charity work will result in a new connection. Love is on the rise.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – Now is not the time to feud with family. Instead of being critical or preaching about morality, concentrate on being compassionate and understanding.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) – It’s an excellent day to visit friends and relatives. Share your opinion and help someone make a positive change. Planning to shift your location will be the beginning of a fresh start.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) – You need to stop being a Scrooge. A new approach to an old idea will renew faith in romance and future plans. Organize a spectacular evening, and enjoy the company of friends and family.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) – Enjoy the party, but don’t overindulge. Make pleasing others your priority and you will get the desired response. Don’t sit around hoping others will change – set the standard.

Warner Bros. photo

Joaquin Phoenix stars in “Her,” a scrupulously understated romance from Spike Jonze.

‘Her’ is a wildly inventive, understated romance

By ANN HORNADAY The Washington Post Joaquin Phoenix delivers a gentle, thoroughly disarming performance in “Her,” a wildly inventive, scrupulously understated romance from Spike Jonze.

Set in a Los Angeles that’s been ingeniously photographed to exploit its most futuristic vernacular, “Her” takes place at a time that may be just around the corner, when our virtual lives have merged even more seamlessly with corporeal, real-world experience – welcome to Earbud Nation.

In this world, computer operating systems are in the throes of becoming exponentially more sophisticated in warp-speed time. When Phoenix’s character, Theodore, takes advantage of the latest upgrade, he finds that his computer is now being run by a charming, Siri-like disembodied voice that calls itself Samantha.

Given beguilingly peppery voice by Scarlett Johansson, Samantha loses no time in seducing the lonely Theodore, who works composing heartfelt notes-forhire at a company called beautifulhandwrittenletters.com, by nights amusing himself with escapist video games and raunchy phone sex. Samantha’s circuitry is sophisticated enough to intuit and evolve according to Theodore’s feedback, so it’s no surprise when he starts to fall in love with her (er, it).

What is surprising is that Jonze has

taken what could easily have been a glib screwball comedy and infused it instead with wry, observant tenderness and deep feeling.

Then again, it’s not that surprising.

Jonze, after all, brought similar sensitivity to “Being John Malkovich,” “Adaptation” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” But “Her” is something special even for this gifted director’s idiosyncratic oeuvre.

Jonze has always possessed a meticulous, curatorially expressive visual sense, and here his talents are particularly sharp. He films Los Angeles in neutral tones of blue and gray, with pops of bright red (including Theodore’s shirt) providing startling slashes of contrast.

That sensibility extends to his clever, even ingenious script, in which he builds an utterly convincing interior and exterior world for Theodore and Samantha to inhabit.

Unlike “Ted” or “Minority Report,” each of which has something in common with “Her,” Jonze’s film doesn’t make the comedic conceit or technology the focus. Rather, he’s interested in alienation (like so many of his filmmaking peers this year), and the role that projection plays in constructing love, desire and identity itself.

Theodore and Samantha exist in a city full of people being alone together, a familiar backdrop at a time when it’s common to see four people share a

dinner table, their eyes glued to four iPhones.

So, the prime obstacles that inevitably emerge in “Her” aren’t what you think they’ll be, and the movie winds up being continually more surprising as it follows its quirky, often amusing, course.

Phoenix has effectively banished the bearded eccentric he was playing on the talk show circuit just a few years ago.

Mustached, bespectacled, he delivers a quietly heroic, even Chaplinesque turn as an Everyman contemplating the nature of the self and the soul that lies within.

At its core, “Her” is about listening, and both Phoenix and Johansson – who delivers an astonishing vocal performance – make that experience anything but passive.

Theodore joins a crowded gallery of protagonists – most of them male – who this year have been battling loneliness and isolation on screen.

“Her” may be the most intellectually inquiring of these smart, observant movies, as Jonze teases out what’s genuine emotion and what’s just programming.

“Her” occurs in what Jonze calls the “slight future,” but that’s clearly a question for the ages.

• “Her” received four out of four stars.

The film is rated R and contains profanity, sexual content and brief graphic nudity. It runs 126 minutes.

DEAR ABBY Jeanne Phillips message your sister wrote has conveyed her feelings from beyond the grave, and it is understandable that it is even more meaningful now than when it was written. I’m glad to remind readers to verbalize their affection for each other. But the written word is something that can be savored over and over.

Dear Abby: My brother mocks everything I do, the friends I spend time with and my politics.

When we’re together, he is often condescending and confrontational. I’m tired of arguing when I go to his home and he asks me what’s going on. I have started to answer, “Nothing.” So, now he tells me how “boring” I am, in addition to his other criticisms.

Abby, his comments are hurtful and I try to stay away from him, but I love my little nieces and want to be around them as

they grow up. I don’t have problems with anyone but him. Our other brother stopped talking to him years ago, but I don’t think I can do anything that extreme.

How can I change the dynamic in our relationship? It doesn’t seem to have progressed since we were kids. – Under Attack In New Jersey Dear Under Attack: The dynamic in your relationship hasn’t changed since you were kids because your brother never stopped being a bully. He calls you boring when you don’t take the bait because he considers belittling you to be a form of entertainment. You can’t change him. If you point out what he’s doing, he will deny it and blame you for being “too sensitive.”

You can, however, understand his childish motivation.

Ignore him as much as possible and focus your attention on your nieces since that’s your only reason for going over there anyway.

• Write Dear Abby at www. dearabby.com.

Tinnitus may be a minor malady, but it’s a major irritant Dear Doctor K: I have tinnitus, and the constant sound is driving me crazy. What can I do?

Dear Reader: Tinnitus is commonly known as ringing in the ears. This phrase can be misleading, however. Some people hear ringing, while others hear whistles or a combination of sounds.

Unusual sounds in your ears may seem like a trivial problem – unless you have it. All of my patients with tinnitus are, at the very least, annoyed by it. Some, like you, are really irritated. It is a constant worry and distraction, and it does interfere with their lives.

Nearly everyone has had tinnitus for a few seconds or minutes after hearing a very loud noise.

That’s normal. What’s abnormal is when people have tinnitus that persists. In some people, the symptoms remain the same over time; in others, they worsen.

If you haven’t already, see your doctor. He or she can check for a physical cause such as impacted earwax, Meniere’s disease, a hole in your inner ear, or middle ear problems such as an infection or a tumor. Physical causes of tinnitus can often be relieved. You might need surgery, antibiotics to fight an ear infection or removal of impacted

ASK DOCTOR K Anthony L. Komaroff earwax.

If you have tinnitus and hearing loss, both problems may improve after you get a hearing aid or have a cochlear implant.

Certain medications can also cause tinnitus. The list is too long to include here, but it includes angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, benzodiazepines and the diuretic furosemide (Lasix). Give your doctor a list of the medications you are taking so he or she can make sure that they are not contributing to your condition.

Unfortunately, for most people with tinnitus, there is no obvious cause. Counseling can help you learn to cope with your symptoms. And some people find that their symptoms improve somewhat when they cut down on caffeine and alcohol, reduce the amount of fat in their diets and quit smoking.

Try the following techniques, which may also help reduce your tinnitus symptoms: • When you’re in a quiet room,

put on music or use a “white noise” machine. Background noise tends to drown out tinnitus sounds.

• Try tinnitus retraining therapy. This involves listening to a tone that is similar to the tinnitus sound for hours at a time. Eventually, your brain ignores the tone, along with the tinnitus sound.

• Tinnitus often worsens with stress. Try yoga, visualization or other relaxation techniques.

Also try mindfulness meditation, which helps you learn to ignore irritations such as the sound of tinnitus.

• Consider biofeedback or hypnosis.

Tinnitus is one of what I’ve called the “minor maladies of man.” Some doctors don’t take it seriously, but in my experience many patients really are bothered by it. Some ear specialists are subspecialists in diagnosing and treating the condition. In most major metropolitan areas there probably is such a specialist, so do some legwork to find one in your area.

• Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. Visit www.AskDoctorK. com to send questions and get additional information.

Dr. Wallace: I’m 16 and will be attending school in another state next semester. For the past year and a half, I’ve been in a lot of trouble at school and with the police.

I got involved with a boyfriend who was a very bad influence on me. I really liked the guy, and because of that, I helped him steal cars, break into houses and sell drugs. I also did drugs, drank alcohol and was sexually involved with both him and his brother.

After spending months in juvenile hall, I have been released back to my parents and back to my high school.

My parents have arranged for me to live with my aunt and uncle, who live over 1,000 miles away. I’m looking forward to the move because I’m done with my former boyfriend and I want a fresh start.

My only concern is that my bad reputation might follow me. That would be devastating.

What can I do to see that this reputation stays in California? – Nameless, Long Beach, Calif.

Dear Nameless: This is a wonderful opportunity to start over. The only way your past can travel to your new school is if you talk about it.

You should learn from your past mistakes, but you needn’t advertise them. Your new classmates will judge you by the way you are with them.

If you get involved in school activities, smile a lot and treat people with kindness, they are sure to respond positively.

And you will be a very happy young lady.

The longer you enjoy being happy, the less you will remember your troubled past.

Dr. Wallace: Last week I borrowed my girl-

’TWEEN 12 & 20 Robert Wallace friend’s car so I could go to work because my car was getting transmission work done. While the car was parked behind the restaurant where I wait tables, someone backed into it and put a dent in the passenger door. It wasn’t a huge dent, but it was noticeable. When I gave the car back to Laura, I told her about the dent. She didn’t seem upset because she thought her insurance would pay for getting it fixed.

Now it turns out the insurance she has won’t cover it because it only covers damage over $500 and this dent was estimated at $350.

Her father told me I had to pay for the repair. I told him I didn’t think I should because I didn’t damage the car.

My girlfriend gave me permission to use the car and the dent was not my fault. I’d like your opinion. – Steve, Goshen, Ind. Dear Steve: This is a no-brainer. You borrowed a car and returned it damaged. It’s your duty to pay up!

What are you thinking? Why would you put your girlfriend through this sort of conflict with her father? She was kind enough to loan you her car and now you’re trying to stick her – or her parents – with a repair bill. Shame on you!

Work out a payment plan and go on with life.

Make sure your car is in good running condition because your girlfriend’s car won’t ever be available again.

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

25

• Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Dear Abby: My sister faced various life-threatening illnesses.

She always said, “Never put off telling the people you love how you feel about them because you might not have a tomorrow.” She practiced what she preached, and we all knew that she loved us. When she passed away eight years ago, it was a painful loss, especially for our mother.

Last week Mom finally succeeded in talking Dad into opening a stuck drawer in a cabinet. Inside she found a letter from my sister that had been put away and forgotten years ago. In the letter my sister wrote how blessed she felt she was to have a mother like ours, how all the sacrifices Mom made for her had been appreciated and how much she loved her.

That long-forgotten letter is now my mother’s most prized possession. Please remind your readers not to take tomorrow for granted, and to tell those they love how they feel TODAY. – Julie’s Sister In Louisville, Ky. Dear Sister: The loving

Teen wants to start fresh after troubled past

ADVICE | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Don’t wait too long to tell the people you love

Arlo & Janis

Garfield

Big Nate

Frank & Earnest

Crankshaft

Soup to Nutz

Stone Soup

The Born Loser

Dilbert

Rose Is Rose

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| COMICS

26

Beetle Bailey

27

When ligaments are injured we describe this as a SPRAIN. Grade I Sprain: a stretching of the ligaments past their normal range of motion; mild pain and swelling.

Blondie

Grade II Sprain: a partial tear of the ligaments; usually with some bruising, more painful and swollen.

Pearls Before Swine

Initial treatment can be RICE therapy: Rest Ice Compression Elevation Substantial pain and bruising with foot or ankle sprains should prompt a visit for evaluation by Dr. Mytych.

The Argyle Sweater

Real Life Adventures

â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Grade III Sprain: a severe injury with complete rupture of the ligaments; severe pain, swelling and bruising are present. Usually requires prompt medical attention.

COMICS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Ligaments: Connect bones to other bones, these are thickened areas of connective tissue that provide stability for your joints.

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

BRIDGE by Phillip Alder

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| PUZZLES

28

After gift-giving, question-answering

CELEBRITY CIPHER

First of all, I wish all of my readers a very happy holiday season. And here is this year’s Christmas Competition. Ignore the given East-West hands; they will change when the answers to questions one and two are given in the column on Jan. 24.

(The other answers will be given on Jan. 25, and the winners announced on March 22.)

1. How should South plan the play in six clubs after West leads a trump and East follows suit?

2. With North the dealer and the opponents silent, suggest an auction to six clubs.

In all of the subsequent questions, assume East and West are vulnerable.

3. Look at only the North hand. a. Partner opens one spade and West passes. What would you respond? b. Partner opens three clubs and West passes. What would you do? c. West opens one heart. What would you call?

4. Look at only the West hand. a. Partner opens one heart and South passes. What would you bid? b. Partner opens one spade, South overcalls five diamonds, and everyone passes. What would you lead? c. North opens one diamond, East doubles, and South passes.

What would you advance?

Mail your entry to Phillip Alder, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106 to arrive by Jan. 22.

Or email it from www.phillipalderbridge.com. Click on the “Contact” button and type out your answers.

Please note the usual disclaimers, and remember that this is primarily for fun.

31

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

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RAY CHEVROLET

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

ANDERSON BMW

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

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SPIRIT OF THE SEASON LOCAL PANTRIES, CHARITIES SEE SWELL OF ACTION. PAGE 4 Mary Beth Nolan for Shaw Media

Volunteer Mary Ochsenschlager helps client Marisol select food and diapers Thursday at Between Friends pantry in Sugar Grove.

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Becky Nelson home for the holidays Kaneland graduate recovering from injuries suffered in the Cayman Islands KANEVILLE TOWNSHIP – Those closest to Becky Nelson have much to celebrate this Christmas, as the 27-year-old will spend the holidays at her family’s Kaneville Township house after spending months in hospitals recovering from injuries suffered after she was hit by a car.

Nelson is a Kaneland High School and Waubonsee Community College graduate who was living in the Cayman Islands at the time of the incident, which took place on July 1.

An effort to help Nelson’s recovery took place at the Kaneville Community Center in October, called the “Help Becky Bounce Back Blowout” event. Organizers said more

KANELAND CONNECTION Al Lagattolla than $24,000 was raised.

A Facebook page, called “Help Becky Bounce Back,” has provided updates on her recovery. On Dec. 18, a post announced that Nelson was at her family’s home. “She was in a great mood all afternoon, so she must have been happy to get home,” the post read.

“She had some pudding and watched some Christmas shows.”

And now, there is optimism. Anne Carson, Nelson’s aunt, said she drove Nelson home. Carson said Nelson

was “doing much better” and that there is hope that she can make a full recovery.

“She’s talking a lot,” Carson said. “She knows everybody. She remembers things.

She’s doing really well that way.”

Nelson spent months in a coma after the crash, and the Facebook page describes the recovery as “the fight of her life.”

Family members said Nelson was walking on a sidewalk at the time of the incident in the Cayman Islands.

Carson said Nelson is sitting in chairs or using a wheelchair most of the time, but she is doing some walking. Carson said she has to relearn some things and said “she’s coming

along.”

On the Facebook page, there is a picture of a Christmas tree drawn by Nelson, and Carson said her niece recently wrote her name.

“We’re just seeing some really good signs,” Carson said.

“We’re hopeful.”

Carson said family members have been grateful for the community support, and she said the fundraiser was “amazing.” And now, she’s with family for the holidays.

“We were very happy that she got to come home for Christmas,” Carson said.

• Al Lagattolla is the news editor of the Kane County Chronicle. Write to him at alagattolla@shawmedia.com.

8LOCAL BRIEFS Kaneland alumni, seniors eligible for scholarship ELBURN – The Elburn Scholarship Fund will award grants for studies at the college level.

Eligibility for an Elburn scholarships is limited to Kaneland High School alumni and members of Kaneland’s current senior class who will attend a local community college or one of the state uni-

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

| GETTING STARTED

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Now Open in South Elgin

versities in Illinois. Former alumni whose pursuit of a degree was interrupted or who would like to pursue a new career should call 630-665-2776. All applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2014. Applications and supporting documents should be returned to The Elburn Scholarship Committee, 611 Plamondon Court, Wheaton, IL 60189.

Felting workshop planned for Friday ELBURN – The Town and Country Public Library will offer two felting workshops on Friday. These workshops are open to the public. Participants should register.

Natasha Lehrer, of Esther’s Place, will facilitate the first workshop at 1 p.m. for first- through

fifth-graders. Students will create a bright red felted cardinal, the state bird of Illinois. Her second workshop at 2:30 p.m. is for students in sixth through 12th grades. This group will make a pair of felted texting gloves.

The library is at 320 E. North St., Elburn. For information, visit www.elburn.lib.il.us.

– Kane County Chronicle

Get the most GREEN for your silver and gold!

TRI COUNTY COINS COINS & COLLECTIBLES

GOLD SILVER

“The little store that pays you more!”

tricountycoins.com

111 N. Main St (Rte. 47) Elburn • 630-365-9700

Support the Local Economy

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

DID YOU WIN? Illinois Lottery Pick 3 Midday: 3-1-0 Pick 3 Evening: 5-2-6 Pick 4 Midday: 0-4-3-3 Pick 4 Evening: 7-4-7-5 Lucky Day Lotto Midday: 7-22-26-33-36 Lucky Day Lotto Evening: 11-22-29-33-36 Lotto: 1-12-16-17-21-41 (18) Lotto jackpot: $9 million Mega Millions Numbers: 23-34-53-58-73 Megaball: 2 Megaplier: 3 Est. jackpot: 22 million Powerball Est. jackpot: $74 million

8SOUND OFF The Kane County Chronicle’s Sound Off number is 630845-5240. Callers may speak on topics anonymously, but messages should be kept to a maximum of 60 seconds. We will not print calls commenting on signed Letters to the Editor.

Kaneland Education in Action

Visit our resale shops for Vtg. Jewelry & Decor!

228 S. Randall Rd South Elgin • 847-697-2646

A ND

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

Get Things Done.

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

Learn about Kaneland High School Bowling Club in today’s paper.

Turn to the inside back page for details.

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Education in Action Kaneland High School Bowling Club!

KHS has another new club that they are proud to be able to share with the Kaneland community—bowling!

Kaneland has a girls bowling team, but currently not one for boys. Rather than letting this stand in their way, Freshman Tyler Rowe and Senior Steven Becker worked hard this year to try to find some way to enjoy their passion with fellow Knights. They approached Mr. Rice to explore some options and the KHS Bowling Club was born!

Bowling Club! f o r e b m e M d Excite chool Kaneland High S

The boys got a special surprise when they found out that even though boys bowling is not an official sport at KHS they will be able to enter 4 bowlers into the IHSA State Series!

Saturday Service Hours Now Available 8:00am-1:00pm

In School and in Life!!

630-365-6481 300 S Main Street Route 47, Elburn, IL 60119 www.BobJassChevrolet.com

www.BobJassChevrolet.com

www.BobJassChevrolet.com

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Currently the club consists of seven boys who will be bowling once a week or so at Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb. Girls bowling coaches McKnight and Trafton were kind enough to let the boys ride on the same bus the girls team takes over to practice, and Mr. Rice and elementary teacher Zak Fitzenreider will be volunteering as sponsors for the club. Mardi Gras lanes worked hard to find them space on the lanes, too, in an already busy practice and competition season.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Kaneland

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, December 25, 2013

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O Holy Night “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

Merry Christmas!

Metrolift, Inc.

Phone: (630) 514-9449

Website: www.metrolift.com