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GENEVA THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 • $2.00 • KC Chronicle.co m

GETTING SHAFTED? Former Kane County employee alleges he was forced into hazardous working conditions / 3

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, November 10, 2016

| GETTING STARTED

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GENEVA

Geneva police say more car burglaries reported

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By BRENDA SCHORY

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Copyright 2016

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Find election coverage online The results are in after residents finished casting their votes on Election Day, Tuesday. For complete coverage, visit www.kcchronicle.com.

NOTE TO READERS Kane County Chronicle editor Kathy Balcazar’s column is in a different space this week. Look for her column in the Everyday Heroes special section inserted into this paper, and catch up on her columns at www.kcchronicle.com.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS Accuracy is important to the Geneva Kane County Chronicle, and we want to correct mistakes promptly. Please call errors to our attention by phone, 630-845-5355; email, geneva@shawmedia.com.

WHERE IT’S AT A&E Calendar ……………………………………… 51 Classifieds …………………………………………… 80 Comics …………………………………………… 65-66 Good Natured ……………………………………… 13 InFocus Weekly …………………………………… 10

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ON THE COVER Ryan Marcheschi claims he was exposed to asbestos while working as a county employee in the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva in 2015.

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

Letters to the editor …………………………… 37 Obituaries …………………………………………… 35 Opinions ……………………………………………… 37 Puzzles …………………………………………… 62-64 Real Estate ………………………………………… 67 Sports ………………………………………………… 40

GENEVA – Several vehicles in various areas of Geneva reported break-ins with items stolen, though in some cases cars were rifled through but nothing was taken, according to police reports.

This second wave of vehicle breakins comes on the heels of police asking residents to remove valuables from their vehicles and to lock them after a rash of 11 car break-ins were reported Oct. 21 and Oct. 23.

Car burglaries reported Oct. 25 were: • Three in the zero to 100 block of Woodlawn Street, where $20 and a phone charger were taken at one address, $20 from another address and nothing taken at the third.

• Two in the 400 block of Dodson Street, where $100 and a camera valued at $560 were taken at one address and nothing was taken at the other.

• In the 600 and 700 blocks of Redwing Drive, a wallet valued at $25 with $5 in-

side were taken from one address, and a flashlight and folding knife valued at $20 were taken at the other.

• In the 800 block of Westfield Course, a backpack, laptop and school book with a total value of $580 were taken.

• In the 1900 block of Heather Road, a wallet was taken and found later with all the credit cards missing.

• In the 300 block of Oakwood Drive, a vehicle was rifled through, but nothing was taken.

On Oct. 26, three vehicles were reported broken into. In the 800 block of May Street, a vehicle was rifled through, but nothing taken; in the 500 block of Eklund Avenue, $80 was taken; and in the 500 block of Gray Street, $1 and a flashlight were taken.

On Oct. 27, a tan leather purse of unknown value was taken from a car in the 300 block of Vonder Lane.

Also, on Oct. 21, $15 and a cellphone charger were taken from a car in the 200 block of Kansas Street.

NEWS BRIEFS Geneva Lions Club to host 5th Pancake Breakfast with Santa

GENEVA – The Geneva Lions Club will host its fifth annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 3 in the Geneva High School cafeteria, 415 McKinley Ave., Geneva.

The event will feature a free photo with Santa, live Christmas music and a crafts market. New this year is the pancake customization station. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Children 3 and younger can eat free. Advance tickets can be bought at the Geneva History Museum, State Street Jewelers or online at genevalionsclub.org. The Geneva Lions Club is

an organization that raises money for people with visibility and hearing disabilities.

TitleMax partners with Northern Illinois Food Bank for food drive ST. CHARLES – TitleMax of St. Charles, 2015 W. Main St., is hosting a food drive in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Saturday through Nov. 19.

Donations also may be made online at solvehungertoday.org. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

– Kane County Chronicle

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County board member: Former employee ‘never exposed to asbestos’

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com

Both in his written grievance and in his hearing testimony, Marcheschi said he was sent into Room 122 twice

by Biggs without protective gear June 24, 2015, while asbestos was being removed from its lower level – without proper shielding on the staircase that connects the two rooms.

Though asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, if its microscopic fibers are inhaled, it can cause lung cancer, another type of cancer known as mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a noncancerous lung disease, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website, www.epa.gov.

“That first occasion was to [put polyethylene sheeting] on the entrance going downstairs,” Marcheschi testified. “His remediation company brought their plastic and put it up after I had done it.”

In Biggs’ testimony, he said he instructed Ryan to put plastic up to keep the dust down, but that was before the actual asbestos removal began in the

lower level of Room 122. Work logs obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show the work on the lower level was done June 22 through June 25, 2015.

The second time Marcheschi entered Room 122 was when Biggs sent him to get the bailiffs’ coats for that day’s court, he testified.

Linda Fisher, who works court security for the Sheriff’s Office at the courthouse, testified at the grievance hearing that she saw Marcheschi enter Room 122 twice.

‘That room stayed locked’

“We had orders to lock that room,” Fisher said of jury Room 122. “There was a sign that said ‘Danger: Asbestos.’

I think ‘Do Not Enter’ or something.

My boss told me he wanted the room locked, that I was ordered to keep that door locked. No one goes in it. … As long as we were on duty, that room stayed locked.”

Fisher testified she saw Marcheschi come out of Room 122 before the room was locked by her sergeant and that he was allowed in a second time to retrieve the bailiffs’ jackets.

“They were in plastic and all taped up,” Fisher testified, regarding the bailiffs’ jackets.

Biggs testified the asbestos warning sign was put at the top of the stairs in Room 122 so no one would go downstairs where the work was being done.

“Room 122 was not part of the asbestos project … none whatsoever,” according to Biggs’ testimony in the transcript. “If it was, the outside door in that hallway would have been completely sealed with plastic and a sign should have read ‘Do Not Enter, Asbestos Removal.’ ... Never was any asbestos in Room 122. … I … explained to Ryan the sign that’s on the staircase does not mean there’s any asbestos.”

Biggs also testified that a state inspector came in at night to set up an air monitoring system.

If the county or its contractors had been careless with the asbestos removal project, Biggs testified that “the state fines could be anywhere from $1,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars for doing the project wrong.”

Still, Marcheschi insisted in his testimony that Biggs also sent him into the basement area of Room 122 on June 24, 2015, because an air handler was not working properly.

“I did that before the asbestos project,” Biggs testified.

Marcheschi countered that it was during the actual asbestos abatement in the lower level of Room 122, according to the transcript.

“The demolition taking place in that room was the removal of asbestos,” Marcheschi testified. “I am shocked that [Biggs was] not taking any precautions entering the area and there wasn’t even a dust barrier on the basement doorway.”

Biggs testified that he had 32 years of experience in asbestos removal projects in schools and other buildings.

“For Ryan to make these false accusations is … not the proper way to do this,” Biggs testified.

County board member Bill Lenert, R-Sugar Grove, who was part of the grievance committee, asked if it was possible that Marcheschi misunderstood when the asbestos project began in relation to when he was told to put plastic up.

“I think what Don has illustrated to us today is the fact that every precaution was taken properly,” Lenert stated. “The areas you were in were never exposed to asbestos.”

The elevator shaft

On May 12, 2015, Marcheschi as-

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Jury Room 122

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

Ryan Marcheschi claims he was exposed to asbestos while working as a county employee in the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva in 2015.

Thursday, November 10, 2016 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

GENEVA – A former Kane County maintenance worker claimed he was exposed to asbestos and was sent down an elevator shaft without protective gear during remedial work done last year at the Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third St., Geneva.

Ryan Marcheschi, 31, of Geneva said he filed a grievance about both issues.

When the grievance committee did not sustain either of his assertions and he was reassigned to a less desirable area, he quit Oct. 26, 2015.

Marcheschi said he is making the issue public now because it took him this long to get a copy of the 100-page transcript of his closed-session grievance hearing Oct. 8, 2015.

“I want there to be attention paid to how our county is being run,” Marcheschi said.

Executive Director of Building Management Donald Biggs disputed whether Marcheschi was ever exposed to asbestos or whether he sent Marcheschi down an elevator shaft for any reason, according to the hearing transcript.

“I don’t direct anybody to go into asbestos because I already know I can go sit in a jail,” Biggs stated according to the transcript. “I’ve been through the training.”

serted that Biggs ordered him into an elevator shaft “with nothing securing [him] from falling and no hard hat for protection from debris.”

Marcheschi said he was directed into the shaft after Mary Barnette, an arbitration assistant, reported to the building’s management that she could hear water running.

The contracting crew had left a plumbing pipe without a shut-off valve and water was running off into a 55-gallon barrel on a platform in the shaft of a demolished elevator, according to the transcript of Marcheschi’s grievance hearing testimony.

While one employee was dispatched to a hardware store to buy a shut-off valve, Marcheschi testified that Biggs sent him down the shaft with another container to catch the dripping water.

“Don commanded me to go down there because, as I said, the 55-gallon garbage can was … filling up to the top and starting to overflow,” Marcheschi testified according to the transcript. “I was instructed to crawl on [a] ladder, which was placed in the shaft on the platform … to keep the water inside contained.”

In his grievance, Marcheschi also stated he was scared to get into the shaft “and especially more so when my boss, Don Biggs, walked away, leaving me completely alone to fix the problem.”

According to the hearing transcript, Biggs denied sending Marcheschi into the elevator shaft at all.

“Nobody was instructed to go into the elevator shaft,” Biggs stated.

Other than not sustaining Marcheschi’s grievances, Lenert said the only other action the committee took was to send a supervisor to management safety and management improvement classes.

“We did let Ryan know if he had concerns or was unhappy with the way it was resolved or our conclusions, we were open to discussing it with him at any time,” Lenert said. “I thought we did a complete and thorough review.”

Biggs said he was not the supervisor who was sent to take classes.

Biggs said he could not discuss the particulars of the grievance hearing because it was an employee issue – other than to say both of the complaints were determined to be unfounded.

“When the investigation came back, it was all unfounded,” Biggs said.

These days, Marcheschi works for a private company in construction.

“They pushed me out of the position I had and put me in crummy positions,” Marcheschi said of the aftermath of his grievance hearing. “I could not handle the stress and pressure any more, so I quit.”

GETTING STARTED |

Ex-county worker alleges asbestos exposure

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, November 10, 2016

| NEWS

4 FACE TIME

Geneva eyes change to city law Aldermen debate allowing liquor licensees to hold office

By BRENDA SCHORY

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GENEVA – After a two-hour debate at a special meeting Nov. 7, a majority of Geneva aldermen said they wanted to change the city’s law to allow liquor license holders to serve on the City Council.

Aldermen asked staff to create an ordinance for the next committee of the whole meeting Nov. 14.

The city’s current ordinance reflects former state law, before it was changed to allow liquor licensees to hold office in municipalities of less than 55,000 in population. A liquor licensee can still run for office but cannot be seated unless that license is given up or the council votes to change the law and seat the licensee, officials said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra argued against changing the ordinance.

“Should a person whose livelihood depends on a decision by a board be allowed a seat on that board?” Maladra

said. “It’s a specific industry, heavily regulated by every state in the nation.

It’s not seen as the same as being a clothing retailer or a pet seller.”

Another reason not to support it would be the awkwardness to police and fire personnel if they have to enforce the law against a sitting alderman, Maladra said, citing what police told aldermen when it was discussed in 2012.

“Any interaction between the council and police puts them in awkward situation,” Maladra said.

Fourth Ward Alderman Don Cummings countered with then no alderman should be allowed to drive or buy a drink.

“I think police are probably put in uncomfortable situations every day,” Cummings said, recounting that police arrest people for underage drinking, speeding and drunken driving.

“I say, open up the pool of potential applicants to come in and run, and let

bschory@shawmedia.com

Brenda Schory - bschory@shawmedia.com

Get to know John Filipiak

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com

Geneva resident John Filipiak, 58, was in Geneva with his golden retriever, Lola, when he answered questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

Schory: Where did you grow up?

Filipiak: North Side of Chicago Schory: Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Filipiak: Harrison Ford Schory: First job?

Filipiak: At a bakery Schory: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Filipiak: A baseball player. I became a groundskeeper at Naperville North High School.

Schory: Favorite charity?

Filipiak: Special Olympics Schory: Favorite local restaurant?

Filipiak: Nobel House in Geneva Schory: What is an interesting factoid about yourself?

Filipiak: I am the biggest Bob Dylan fan. I think I’ve seen him in concert at least 15 times. My wife texted me and told me when he won the Nobel Prize, “Let’s go out and celebrate.” We went out to Red Lobster. The waitress asked, “Are you here to celebrate anything?” And I said, “Yes, Bob Dylan won a Nobel Prize.”

News to your phone

Batavia open house guests to vote on playground designs KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE editorial@kcchronicle.com

BATAVIA – The community is invited to help choose the design for new playground equipment that will be installed at Fidler Farm Park and Prairie Path Park by the Batavia Park District next summer.

Residents can bring the whole family to an open house-style public input meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 10 at the Lodge at Laurelwood, 1 S. Logan St., Batavia, a news release stated.

Since 2000, the district has been renovating its playgrounds on a 15year rotation.

For more information on the proj-

If you go

AURORA – Marmion Academy’s Fishing Team will host its drive-thru-only annual Fish Fry Fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18.

Each meal includes three pieces of Sgt. Dotson’s famous fried catfish, French

Man accused of pushing woman, faces felony charge KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

n WHAT: Fidler Farm Park and Prairie

Path Park playground design public input meeting n WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 n WHERE: Lodge at Laurelwood, 1 S. Logan St., Batavia n INFO: Contact Jim at 630-879-5235, ext. 2011, or jime@bataviaparks.org, bataviaparks.org ect, visit bataviaparks.org or contact Jim Eby, capital projects manager, at 630-879-5235, ext. 2011, or jime@bataviaparks.org.

NEWS BRIEF Marmion’s fishing team to host annual fish fry drive-thru event

the citizens decide if they want that person in office or not,” Cummings said.

Fourth Ward Alderman Jim Radecki, who asked for the issue to be discussed, said it was “ridiculous in a small town” to fret about doing something to attract police attention.

“Anyone who has lived here ... and who has raised children in this town, has probably had a couple of delicate moments with the police department,” Radecki said. “If you’d like to raise your hand and join me, please do. It happens to all of us. ... Police are professional enough to handle those delicate situations.”

Radecki said the law was keeping qualified candidates from running.

He urged that the council take action quickly so an interested candidate can file nominating papers in time for the April 2017 consolidated election.

“If someone is out there ... we should do it for that person,” Radecki said.

“That’s how strongly I feel about it.”

Resident Dick Graff said he would have voted for Michael Olesen, owner of Stockholm’s, as alderman in the 1st Ward four years ago – but could not because Olesen did not run because of the city’s ordinance.

fries, hush puppies, coleslaw and a dinner roll. Each meal costs $12, and all proceeds will benefit Marmion’s fishing team.

Meals must be bought beforehand at marmion.org/fishfry.

Marmion is at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora.

– Kane County Chronicle

editorial@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA – A Geneva man was charged with felony aggravated battery for allegedly pushing a woman who was eight months pregnant into a kitchen countertop, police reports stated.

John F. Velazquez, 35, of the 300 block of Greenfield Circle, was also charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic battery Oct. 23, reports stated.

Velazquez alleged- John F. ly gripped the victim’s Velazquez arms and pushed her backward until her lower back struck the countertop, resulting in pain in her lower abdomen and causing her to fall to the floor, reports stated.

The incident was sparked by an argument over a posting on social media from a family member, reports stated.

The penalty for the felony charge is two to five years in prison or a fine up to $25,000, if convicted.

Velazquez posted $1,000 bond or 10 percent of a $10,000 bail that was set.

He is to appear in court Nov. 30.

GENEVA – 25N Coworking is moving to 25 N. River Lane – in Shodeen’s Geneva on the Dam complex – from its location at 25 N. Third St., founder Mara Hauser said.

Coworking is a concept that provides a professional environment for virtual employees, freelance workers and entrepreneurs to work, have meetings and network, Hauser said when the business opened 18 months ago.

“We secured 4,000 square feet at 1 W. State St. in March and I have a corporate team of 30 people working there already,” Hauser said. “[One] corporation has it as a team as they have outgrown their own corporate offices.”

In addition to that, 25N Coworking will be moving into the two-story building on River Lane, where it will have the majority of the first floor and all of the second floor, she said.

“We are relocating to a

Photo provided

campus environment where we can expand and grow,” Hauser said. “We are going to have more private offices and more dedicated desks. We will have a new ribbon cutting and an open house.”

Paul Ruby, president of Shodeen Hospitality, said 25N

Coworking’s move to Geneva on the Dam is a good fit for the development.

“I believe 25N will complement the existing businesses very nicely,” Ruby said in a news release. “I think what Mara’s done on Third Street was a great use of that space,

and I’m even more excited that she’s bringing it to Geneva on the Dam.” The concept of workers from other companies and independent contractors sharing a workspace was so popular, Hauser said, that 25N Coworking sold out all its private rent-

al offices shortly after opening.

Another factor in the move was 25N Coworking being sued in April in a dispute over the rent by Ashland Ventures LLC. Court papers show the case was dismissed, but an eviction for 25N Coworking was ordered by Nov. 30, records show.

As it is, the company is making its move over the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Everything has been dismissed,” Hauser said. “We are amicably separating and leaving before the end of November, going to this new location.

We will be open for business the Monday after Thanksgiving.”

Work still is being done on the new space, she said.

“It’s being painted now and lights installed,” Hauser said.

“We are really excited about it, too. It will be better than what have here. … What we were able to do is to come up with a design that is more productive and more efficient.”

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE editorial@kcchronicle.com

BATAVIA – A preview event has been added to Batavia MainStreet’s three-day Holiday Market, which launches the evening of Nov. 10 at the Congregational Church of Batavia, according to a news release.

The third annual show will feature a Thursday Night Sneak Peek preview shopping event from 6 to 9 p.m. limited to 100 ticket buyers, the news release stated.

“This year, we wanted to offer a relaxing time for our customers to come and browse the market,” Ana Sheldon, coordinator of the Artisan Collective, said in the news release. “It will be a great opportunity to enjoy shopping with a friend while supporting local artisans and vintage vendors.”

Tickets for the preview shopping night are on sale for $10 at many Batavia retailers,

If you go n WHAT: Holiday Market n WHEN: Ticketed sneak-pre-

view event from 6 to 9 p.m.

Nov. 10; public hours are noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 11; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 12 n WHERE: Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. n INFO: Downtownbatavia. com, Batavia MainStreet’s Facebook event pages, 630761-3528

including Salvaged Heart Vintage, 14 N. Island Ave.; Fawn Gifts, 2 E. Wilson St.; The Tea Tree, 29 N. River St.; Furniture Dollies, 103 N. Washington Ave.; and K.Hollis Jewelers, 147 S. Randall Road. Tickets include an all-access pass to shopping without crowds, as well as desserts from the local

Knead, Crumb & Crust bakery.

“Patrons who get their tickets will be able to see all of the one-of-a-kind goods first, and could very possibly get all of their holiday shopping done in one fun night,” Sheldon said.

The show will include about 40 local artisans and vintage vendors. To promote shopping locally throughout the holiday season, the event will offer visitors lists of vendors and downtown Batavia retail businesses.

“The Holiday Market has become a great shop for those wanting to purchase unique gifts for those on their Christmas lists,” Batavia MainStreet Executive Director Jamie Saam said in the release. “This year, we want to promote shoppers to not only enjoy patronizing the market, but to continue out around town and shop where their heart is, right in downtown Batavia at some of our local retailers.”

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE editorial@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA – The Geneva Public Library District has scheduled community forums this month to discuss plans for expanded library services in a new building at 210 S. Sixth St., Geneva, officials announced in a news release.

Community meetings will be hosted in the lower level meeting room at the library at noon Nov. 12, and at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 15, the release stated.

It is an opportunity for the community to meet with the library administration and architects, learn about the plans, and provide feedback, the release stated.

Since the library closed on the purchase of the Sixth Street property in March, the library board hired architectural firm StudioGC to de-

velop a preliminary building program, the release stated.

Trustees are working with StudioGC to develop plans and cost estimates for a new library, the release stated.

The library is landlocked at its current location, and community feedback has been clear that the library must provide additional services and resources, the release stated.

These include more study space, meeting space, function rooms and on-site parking, the release stated.

In addition, contemporary libraries are evolving to meet community needs to offer resources such as drive-up convenience, 3-D printing services, craft rooms, equipment checkout and early literacy play areas, the release stated.

For updates and additional information, visit www.gpld. org/pressroom. To get involved, email Board@gpld.org.

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Sneak-peek event to open Batavia Library to host meetings about expanded service MainStreet’s Holiday Market

Thursday, November 10, 2016 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

25N Coworking is moving to 25 N. River Lane – in the Geneva on the Dam complex – over the Thanksgiving weekend and reopening Nov. 28. Owner Mara Hauser said the space is still being prepared.

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com

NEWS |

25N Coworking moving to River Lane

5

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, November 10, 2016

| NEWS

6

Community basks in Cubs win

Community members come together to paint this garage at Tom Sheridan’s house on Lewis Place in Geneva. “Everyone in the neighborhood loves it, and many cars have stopped by,” neighbor Noel Sutcliff wrote. “The kids love it.”

Photo provided

North Aurora Girl Scout to get top honor 9-year-old saves boy from drowning in June incident

Know more

editorial@kcchronicle.com

To learn more about Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, visit girlscoutsni.org or call 844-GSNI-4-ME.

NORTH AURORA – Greta Arndt, 9, a Girl Scout Junior from North Aurora, will receive the Girl Scouts of the USA Medal of Honor for the quick thinking and selfless action that saved a young boy from drowning, the organization announced in a news release.

The incident occurred in June while Greta and her family were vacationing in St. Louis, Mo. While they were swimming in a hotel pool, Greta spotted a young boy bobbing underwater who appeared to be unconscious. She quickly swam to the boy, placed her arm around his torso to raise his head above water, and swam with him to the shallow end of the pool, the release stated.

She and her mother then administered back thrusts. The boy was able to cough and expel water from his lungs, surviving the life-threatening experience, the release stated.

Greta began Girl Scouts at age 5, the release stated.

“I had swimming lessons when I was younger; I knew I had to get him out quick and keep his head above water,” Greta said in the release. “Girl Scouts helped prepare me for what

often at considerable risk to their own safety and well-being. Greta comes from a long line of firefighters, which helped the fourth-grader know how to respond quickly and safely in an emergency, the release stated.

What advice would the young hero give other families?

“Always have a parent or adult with you when you’re near the water,” she said in the release.

Both Greta and her mother, Brandee Arndt, were surprised at how quietly the boy’s near drowning took place, the release stated.

“There was no yelling or thrashing; it was silent and fast,” Brandee Arndt said in the release.

Greta will be presented with the Medal of Honor at Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois’ 2016 Cookie Kick Off event Dec. 3 at the BMO Harris Bank Center, home of the Rockford Ice Hogs. Greta will receive her honor before the game and drop the game puck.

To learn more about Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, visit girlscoutsni. org or call 844-GSNI-4-ME.

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

Photo provided

Greta Arndt, 9, a Girl Scout Junior from North Aurora, will receive a medal of honor for helping save a young boy from drowning. happened; it gave me confidence to act, and it has taught me to be kind to others and treat people with respect.”

The Medal of Honor is a prestigious award reserved for Girl Scouts who demonstrate heroic lifesaving action,

NEWS BRIEFS Geneva D-304 to host open house to mark building’s 100th year

GENEVA – Geneva School District 304 is hosting a 100th anniversary open house at 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at the administration building, 227 N. Fourth St., Geneva, school officials announced.

The former Fourth Street School is now the Coultrap Educational Services Center, where the district’s administrative offices are located, officials said.

It was named to honor Harry M. Coultrap, who served as the school superintendent from 1912 to 1950, officials said.

The first hour of the open house is for people to tour the building and have refreshments, and a dedication ceremony will follow at 5 p.m., officials said.

Speaker series to host program on Syrian refugee crisis

GENEVA – The Geneva Library Foundation Speaker Series will host a program on the Syrian refugee crisis at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in the meeting room at the Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva.

Leading the program will be Suzanne Sahloul from the Syrian Community Network. The event is free. Reservations are not required but suggested. Those interested can register at www.genevalibraryfoundation.org.

– Kane County Chronicle

TODAY’S WEATHER BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Geneva & North Aurora www.douglascarpetone.com

SEVEN-DAY FORECAST FOR KANE COUNTY THURSDAY NIGHT

Breezy with plenty of sunshine

Breezy early; otherwise, clear

61

FRIDAY

40

52 28

SUNDAY

MONDAY

More sunshine than clouds

Mostly sunny and breezy

Rain and drizzle possible

51 32

Partly sunny and breezy

ALMANAC

SATURDAY

Lake Geneva

61/38

Statistics through Monday, November 7

Harvard

Rockford

62/41

61/40

DeKalb

61/45

St. Charles

Chicago

61/40

61/43

Aurora

Sandwich

Hammond Orland Park 63/49

61/39

61/39

61/43

La Salle

62/42

61/41

Ottawa

UV INDEX

Kankakee

Thursday ............................................. 2 Friday .................................................. 2 Saturday .............................................. 2 Sunday ................................................ 2 Monday ............................................... 2 Tuesday ............................................... 1

60/42

Streator

63/44

Pontiac

Watseka

62/42

61/44

Chatsworth

62/45

Eureka

62/44

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.

Paxton

Bloomington

61/45

60/42

Hoopeston

REGIONAL CITIES Aurora Bloomington Champaign Chicago Deerfield DeKalb Elmhurst Gary Hammond Kenosha La Salle Munster Naperville Ottawa Peoria Pontiac Rock Island Springfield Terre Haute Waukegan

Thursday Hi Lo W

61 60 61 61 63 61 61 62 63 60 62 60 61 62 61 62 63 64 60 60

39 42 42 43 43 40 43 48 49 39 42 43 41 41 43 44 41 44 41 41

s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

Friday Hi Lo W

52 54 57 51 53 52 52 54 55 50 52 54 52 52 55 54 54 59 58 51

27 30 30 32 32 30 31 34 35 29 34 31 30 34 30 32 28 31 29 31

pc s s pc pc s pc pc pc pc s pc pc s s s s s pc pc

Saturday Hi Lo W

51 50 51 51 52 50 51 51 52 51 53 50 51 52 51 52 53 53 51 51

Full

Last

New

First

Nov 14

Nov 21

Nov 29

Dec 7

On Nov. 10, 1994, T.S. Gordon developed near Jamaica. Gordon’s track was one of the most erratic in recorded history.

Gordon looped across Florida, then moved toward the mid-Atlantic states before turning southward again.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016

31 33 32 36 36 34 36 37 40 34 36 33 33 34 34 34 33 34 28 36

pc s s pc pc pc pc pc pc pc s pc pc s s s s s s pc

Sunday Hi Lo W

58 56 58 57 57 56 56 58 59 57 55 55 56 55 58 57 58 60 56 57

38 41 40 41 40 39 40 43 46 40 41 38 39 40 42 41 38 42 38 40

s s pc s s s s s s s s s s s s pc s s s s

Monday Hi Lo W

58 60 61 59 58 58 58 60 59 59 59 58 59 59 61 60 60 64 60 58

39 44 44 40 41 39 40 41 44 38 43 41 38 42 44 40 40 45 42 39

r r r pc pc r pc r r r r r r r r r r r pc r

Tuesday Hi Lo W

56 60 62 55 55 54 55 57 57 54 58 56 55 57 59 57 58 63 62 54

38 41 41 40 39 35 38 41 42 38 36 39 37 35 41 38 39 42 40 39

r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r

WEATHER TRIVIA™ Q: According to an old saying, ice in

November brings what in December?

Mud.

City

Anchorage Atlanta Boston Charlotte Dallas Denver Honolulu Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis New Orleans New York City Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Salt Lake City Seattle Wash., DC

Thursday Hi Lo W

38 71 52 67 68 67 84 78 89 81 62 73 56 56 82 57 64 60 61

32 47 42 38 54 31 72 57 62 65 38 61 46 45 59 41 42 50 45

sh s pc s pc s s s s pc s s s s s s s c s

Friday Hi Lo W

39 71 56 72 73 61 86 77 84 81 50 73 61 63 83 53 65 60 65

33 49 35 41 53 34 71 55 60 64 33 59 38 39 59 31 43 50 41

sn pc s s pc s s s s s pc pc pc s s pc s r s

Saturday Hi Lo W

38 64 45 59 68 68 85 77 82 80 54 75 48 51 81 49 63 57 54

32 39 35 31 51 37 71 55 59 67 43 59 37 35 58 30 41 46 37

i s pc s s s pc pc pc s s pc s s s s c pc s

Sunday Hi Lo W

37 65 53 63 68 65 85 77 81 79 61 75 55 57 81 56 64 55 61

32 45 39 35 53 36 73 55 59 67 40 60 41 39 58 35 41 48 40

r s s s s s pc s s pc s t s s pc s pc r s

Monday Hi Lo W

35 66 55 66 73 68 85 79 81 78 58 76 57 60 82 56 62 52 62

26 45 41 38 56 39 73 57 59 68 38 58 42 42 58 39 42 46 44

i sh pc pc pc pc pc s s pc c sh pc pc s c pc r pc

Tuesday Hi Lo W

31 65 55 64 73 65 84 78 79 79 50 77 58 60 82 59 59 54 64

20 47 42 41 52 35 73 56 59 68 37 58 44 42 57 40 38 44 47

c t c t c s pc s s sh r t r r s r pc sh r

WORLD CITIES City

Beijing Buenos Aires Jerusalem London Madrid Mexico City Paris Rome Sydney Tokyo

Thursday Hi Lo W

52 81 76 50 57 65 50 62 75 56

28 57 57 35 34 53 39 49 64 49

pc s pc sh s pc sh pc sh c

Friday Hi Lo W

50 71 73 49 58 70 49 64 77 57

31 58 57 43 40 53 39 44 66 54

pc s pc pc pc pc c t pc r

Saturday Hi Lo W

54 77 73 54 60 68 50 60 84 65

32 65 58 42 43 53 46 48 66 54

pc pc pc r pc pc r pc t pc

Sunday Hi Lo W

53 73 73 50 61 70 52 62 82 64

35 61 59 41 39 53 40 52 59 56

s t pc pc pc pc sh t s c

Monday Hi Lo W

53 80 71 55 60 70 51 64 73 67

26 66 58 47 38 55 46 49 59 54

s s pc r s pc c r s s

Tuesday Hi Lo W

56 74 68 53 58 71 49 65 71 66

37 47 51 43 39 50 44 51 59 53

pc s s c s pc r pc s pc

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

KCG

City

WEATHER HISTORY

MOON PHASES

NATIONAL CITIES

61/45

Temperatures are Thursday’s highs and Thursday night’s lows.

Sunrise Thursday ..................... 6:37 a.m.

Sunset Thursday ...................... 4:37 p.m.

Moonrise Thursday .................. 2:32 p.m.

Moonset Thursday ................... 1:36 a.m.

Sunrise Friday ......................... 6:38 a.m.

Sunset Friday .......................... 4:36 p.m.

Moonrise Friday ....................... 3:07 p.m.

Moonset Friday ........................ 2:45 a.m.

Sunrise Saturday ..................... 6:39 a.m.

Sunset Saturday ...................... 4:35 p.m.

Moonrise Saturday .................. 3:44 p.m.

Moonset Saturday ................... 3:57 a.m.

Sunrise Sunday ....................... 6:40 a.m.

Sunset Sunday ........................ 4:34 p.m.

Moonrise Sunday ..................... 4:25 p.m.

Moonset Sunday ...................... 5:12 a.m.

Sunrise Monday ....................... 6:42 a.m.

Sunset Monday ........................ 4:33 p.m.

Moonrise Monday .................... 5:10 p.m.

Moonset Monday ..................... 6:27 a.m.

Sunrise Tuesday ...................... 6:43 a.m.

Sunset Tuesday ....................... 4:32 p.m.

Moonrise Tuesday .................... 6:00 p.m.

Moonset Tuesday ..................... 7:40 a.m.

Precipitation

Gary

62/48

Joliet

62/41

SUN AND MOON

Evanston

63/45

Oak Park

61/40

Temperature

Arlington Heights

63/44

62/41

61/40

Occasional rain and Cloudy with a shower possible drizzle

Waukegan

Elgin

Hampshire

52 35

60/41

Crystal Lake

61/39

56 37

60/39

McHenry

Belvidere 62/39 61/40

58 39

WEDNESDAY

THE WEEK AHEAD

Kenosha

A:

TEMPERATURES High for the week ............................... 77 Low for the week ................................ 36 Normal high ........................................ 54 Normal low ......................................... 37 Average temperature ....................... 56.1 Normal average temp. ..................... 45.6 Temperature departure .................. +10.5 PRECIPITATION Total for the week ........................... 0.19” Total for the month ......................... 0.19” Normal for the month ...................... 0.75” Total for the year ........................... 31.58” Normal for the year month ............ 33.08” % of normal this year ....................... 95%

56 38

TUESDAY

Thursday, November 10, 2016 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

THURSDAY

7

WEATHER |

WEATHER

KCG

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, November 10, 2016

| NEWS & OPINIONS

8

Hälsa marks 30 years of massage, aromatherapy

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Hälsa, The Aromatherapy Shop and Spa, 202 W. State St., Geneva, just marked 30 years in business, owner Marja Neylon said.

“I started with massage when I first started in Illinois doing massage with a chiropractor and then with a group of people in a massage studio,” Neylon said. “And from there it kind of expanded.

She started in St. Charles where Hälsa was first located and was there for 10 years before moving to Geneva’s State Street location, where the business has been for the past 20 years. Neylon is a Geneva resident.

“I was born in Finland and lived in Sweden and went to

PUSH – or Power Under Soft Hands.

“PUSH is a specific type of massage with a deeper approach to ligaments and tendons,” Neylon said. “It’s not really common here.”

The business also offers body scrubs and herbal wraps, she said.

Her business has expanded to include essential oils and aromatherapy.

“I have been teaching aroma therapy classes for 25 years,” Neylon said. “There are hundreds of different oils.

You need to know what to do with what.”

Photo provided Lavender essential oil can Marja Neylon, owner of Hälsa, The Aromatherapy Shop and Spa, 202 W. be used on cuts and bruises.

State St., Geneva, is celebrating 30 years in business.

But to treat a headache, calmmassage school in Sweden, She does several kinds of ing lavender could be mixed Neylon said. “I came to the massage such as Swedish, con- with rosemary – which is upnective tissue, reflexology and lifting and energizing – and U.S. in 1985.”

rubbed on a person’s temples and nape of the neck, Neylon said.

Her store even sells a rollon of the mix for her customers who have headaches, she said.

“It’s been around for thousands of years,” Neylon said of essential oils. “The early Egyptians figured out how to extract and distill essential oils.”

Hälsa already has blended essential oils, but the staff can also make a custom blend, she said “I have a lot of clients that I’ve worked with for 30 years,” Neylon said. “I have clients where I’ve worked on three generations of people in their families.”

For more information, call the spa at 630-208-8250 or visit www.halsaroma.com.

The holiday season in Geneva is magical, full of activities Geneva is beautiful in any season, but there is something about the aroma of fresh greenery, a 50-foot tree adorned with twinkling lights and visits with Santa that just make Geneva a little more special this time of the year. For the past year, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce has been planning, and in the past month the city of Geneva has been preparing, our town for the holidays.

The evening of Dec. 2, the Christmas Walk begins with the Graham’s Candy Cane parade and presentation of the first candy cane of the season to Mayor Kevin Burns. We will celebrate

CHAMBER CHAT Laura Rush our Swedish heritage with the arrival of Santa Lucia and her attendants offering Swedish cookies to all. As the Great Tree, decked out with more than 4,000 lights, is lit, the young and young at heart will wait with anticipation for Santa Claus.

Amongst the festive evening, chestnuts are roasting over open fires, carolers are filling the night air with seasonal favorites and a live nativity scene is taking place.

Dazzling window displays brimming with gift ideas invite shoppers to stroll through shops as merchants serve traditional holiday refreshments.

Did you know that Geneva Chamber has the awesome responsibility of decorating the downtown in holiday finery?

Proceeds from our annual Christmas House Tour, this year on Dec. 2 and 3, assist in these costs. Five exquisite homes, aglow with holiday decorations, open their doors to visitors for self-guided tours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dec. 2 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3. The personality of each home will illuminate

when local decorators and landscapers work with homeowners to create holiday magic. Primary decorators are Gatherings By Design, Heinz Brothers Greenhouse Garden Center, The Little Traveler, Plandscape Inc. and SG Geneva/Scentimental Gardens.

You will not only enjoy the architecture but also the unique collections and interior design, which reveal the personalities of the families residing in the homes.

Tickets sell quickly and can be bought at the Geneva Chamber office and several locations around town. Call 630-232-6060 or visit www. genevachamber.com for more

Look inside for information on a brand-new option for senior living!

CHS100095

information about the house tour.

A Holiday Tea hosted at the First Congregational Church in Geneva is included in the $30 price of the ticket.

While the beginning of December is bustling with activity, the entire holiday season is magical in Geneva.

Visit our website, genevachamber.com, for all the holiday happenings!

Laura Rush is communications manager for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. Her column runs the second Thursday of each month.

Contact her at editorial@ kcchronicle.com.

Help for what you need, only when you need it.

GENEVA

SPECIAL 2016 CUBS WORLD SERIES SECTION

WORLD CHAMPIONS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | $2 | KCCHRONICLE.COM

CUBS WIN

Team, family, fans celebrate victory PAGES 2-3

Look inside for today’s Kane County Chronicle

Chicago Cub Kyle Schwarber pumps up the crowd at Addison and Sheffield avenues outside of Wrigley Field as the Cubs World Series celebration parade steps off Nov. 4 in Chicago.

Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com