Around and About in West Chicago - 30 Jan 2008

     West Chicago is “becoming greener” with City Council’s approval of a resolution to endorse the Greenest Regions compact at its Jan. 21 meeting. In a memorandum Greg Koch, Assistant Director of Public Works, explained the compact is an initiative of the Metropolitan Mayors caucus to voluntarily improve the region’s environment, air, water and land, reduce greenhouse gases, minimize waste and reduce energy consumption. It is not a mandate, but is “a guide to assist municipalities in working towards improving the quality of our environment.”

     With the endorsement, the City is eligible to receive CFL light bulbs to distribute to residents. The members of the Environmental Commission will work on ideas to help with the distribution of the bulbs and ways to implement other measures identified in the compact. Dan Beebe, chairman of the Commission said, “We are hoping to be able to distribute the bulbs at our booth during Blooming Fest (Saturday, May 17). Also we are going to promote the ‘Adopt a Highway’ program and emphasize local places where persons can recycle items for reuse.”

     Koch said, “Several measures mentioned in the compact are already part of the public works program.” One is storm water best management practice, which “involves techniques used to control storm runoff, sediment control and soil stabilization during and after construction projects.” Already in place is the ordinance for “watering and sprinkling usage during the spring and summer months.” He added, “We have an active parkway tree maintenance program.” Curbside recycling is offered to residents. E waste recycling occurred as hundreds of electronic waste were recycled at the SIMS recycling event held in October 2007.

AROUND AND ABOUT

     The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6, and some of the churches are holding special worship services.

• First United Methodist/First Congregational and St. Andrew Lutheran Church service is at 7 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 603 E. Washington St.
• Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1S260 Joliet St., services are at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Resurrection Anglican Church, 450 E. Roosevelt Road, Suite 203, service is at 7 p.m.
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 140 Oakwood Ave., English Mass service is at 7:30 a.m., the school Mass is at 9 a.m. and the bilingual Mass is at noon. Imposition of ashes takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, 400 W. Washington St., services are at noon and 7 p.m.
• Trinity Lutheran Church, 331 George St., has a soup supper at 6 p.m. followed by the service at 7 p.m.

     Participating in National Catholic Schools Week from Sunday, Jan. 27, through Friday, Feb. 2, St. Mary’s Catholic School has been and is having a variety of activities involving the theme, “Catholic Schools Light the Way.” The theme focuses on the leadership the schools provide students spiritually, nationally and locally, producing graduates, who light the way to a brighter future for all mankind. School principal Nancy Coughlin said, “We also incorporated our local theme, ‘These are a Few of Our Favorite Things,’ about St. Mary’s in the activities.”

• Sunday, a special mass focused honored educators.
• Monday, the Parent Teachers Organization led the Mass for students, emphasizing community. “Merlin” Akins demonstrated the science and arts of bubbles.
• Tuesday activities highlighted students with “Time out” for games, such as Bingo, Bunco and Pictionary and a treat of ice cream.
• Wednesday was the day to emphasize the nation. Students had the opportunity to pay a dollar to doff uniforms and wear red, white and blue outfits. All proceeds were donated to the Edward J. Hines Veterans Hospital.
• Thursday finds the emphasis on volunteers and clergy. BP volunteers discuss economic awareness. However, recognition, through a “Hats off” tribute honors Gus Kimball, who has been the athletic director for 40 years.
• Friday, the day to honor faculty and staff begins with a pancake breakfast for students, served by the Knights of Columbus and ends with a teachers’ luncheon sponsored by the school PTO.

     School spirit bounces onto the court during the Varsity Girls’ Basketball game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31. Members of the Wildcat Booster Club are serving free pizza and soft drinks to students attending the game. Attendees bringing a non-perishable food item receive a raffle ticket for prizes to be won at halftime. Items collected are donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Adding to the “tall-fun” entertainment is the Boys’ Basketball team 3-point shooting contest.

     A true challenge for problem solving arises for Middle School teams competing against each other in the Second Annual Science Olympiad-Rube Goldberg Device Design Challenge from 9 a.m. to noon. Each team has the opportunity to compete in two competitions. The first one involves constructing a Rube Goldberg device, which accomplishes one of the following tasks: recycle paper, water a plant or throw a tennis ball to a target 20-feet away. Seventh and eighth grade students compete against each other in the surprise competition problem. The awards ceremony is at 11:30 a.m. It should be fun to see what the youths create for both competitions.

     Valentine Bingo is the Park District’s monthly activity for senior citizens at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Adult Center in Easton Park. Persons attending are asked to bring a dish to pass and a complete place setting Reservations are required by Saturday, Feb. 2, and can be made by calling the park district at (630) 231-9474.

     “Texas Hold ’Em,” sponsored by the West Chicago Rotary Club and presented by Chicago Charitable Games, takes place from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 hall, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s community and international projects. For further information, call Ed Hedeen at (630) 836-1972.

     Catholic Daughters of America, St. Mary’s Parish, meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in St. Francis Hall. The main activity of the evening is Bunco. For information, call Alice (630) 231-1955 or Kathy at (630) 231-2036.

     Mark your calendar for the library’s program, “How to Raise A Money-Smart Child,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6. Roger Smith, an Edward Jones financial advisor, discusses how to start young children on the right financial path by teaching them about the importance of saving and investing. The program highlights setting attainable goals, rewarding children’s efforts, making investing fun, and stressing the long-term nature of investing.

     The library’s Books for Lunch Program, “Forgiveness: The Gift You Give Yourself,” is at noon Thursday, Feb. 7. Betty Barsley-Marra, educator from the University of Illinois Extension, discusses the positive value of forgiving. Just bring a sack lunch. Beverages and desserts are provided. To make reservations for any of these programs, call the library at (630) 231-1552, Ext. 4.

     Bernadette Malovany is the featured artist for the month of February at Gallery 200, 200 Main St. The display highlights her watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings, which include local scenes, flowers, forest preserves and gardens. The artist’s opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8.

     The “hottest” event of the season is quickly approaching. The park district’s annual Firehouse Chili Fest is from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd. In addition to our fire protection district, other participants are the Addison, Carol Stream and Winfield fire districts. The admission price is $7 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children ages 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Illinois Burn Camp. Volunteers are needed to bus tables. If interested in helping, call Anna Rosalez at (630) 231-9474.

     Camp Invention returns to Gary School from Monday, June 16, through Friday, June 20. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun camp is for children entering first through sixth grades. The campers work in teams and individually to create solutions and solve problems for imaginary scenarios using recycled materials and broken household appliances brought to camp. The scenarios for this year are “Saving Sludge City” and “Landing on Mars.” The price is $175 for persons registering before Thursday, Jan. 31, and afterwards the cost is $205. To register, call (800) 968-4332 and/or for further information go to the Web site http://www.invent.org/camp/default.aspx. There are only 35 camp locations is Illinois. Sue Stibal, School District 33 Board member, said, “We are very lucky to have a camp of this caliber in our town! This camp has been an energizing and positive experience for my two sons.”

     At the Jan. 21 City Council meeting Police Chief Don Goncher introduced Michael Zepeda, who recently was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. “He has been with our department for 12 years.” Also introduced were the two newest officers joining the department, Adam Reavley and Joseph Stewart.

     Anni Holm was appointed to the Cultural Arts Commission, with her term ending April 30. She fills the vacancy of Tracey Marie Sabala, who resigned in 2007. Jesse Felix, Park District Superintendent of Parks, was appointed ex-officio member of CAC, with his term expiring April 2009.

     Both the Environmental Commission and the Youth Commission have one vacancy. The descriptions of responsibilities and frequency of meetings are on the City Web site www.westchicago.org, under the category of Government (Boards and Commissions). Interested applicants should call City Executive Secretary Kimberly Wayne at (630) 293-2200, Ext. 123.

     Do you know the answers to these two questions? 1) India borders two landlocked countries to the north, Name one of them. 2). A United States island territory, where the official languages are English and Chamorro, has the motto: “Where America’s Day Begins.” These were two of the championship round questions asked during the “National Geographic” Geography Bee. Jan. 8, at Indian Knoll School. The school champion was fourth grader Zach Ushman. First runner up was his sister, Alyssa Ushman, a sixth grader. Second runner up was sixth grader Eliana Barrera. Zach has to complete a 70-question written test that is sent to “National Geographic.” The results of this test determine qualification to county level, with the champion from that level going on to compete at the state level. The final competition is at the national level. The answer to the first question is Nepal/ Bhutan, and the answer to the other question is Guam.

     The fire at St. Andrew Golf and Country Club on Saturday, Jan. 26, mainly was confined to the kitchen area and appears to be caused by a cleaning solvent, said Fire Chief Ron Ackerman. The fire was elevated to an extra alarm for assistance to control the fire, “not exactly knowing the situation which we were faced.” Responding were 35 firefighters from Carol Stream, Warrenville, Winfield and Wheaton. With the mutual aid agreement, firefighters from Batavia, Bloomingdale, Geneva and Hanover Park provided manpower at the fire stations. With the age, construction of the building and the additions through the years, “ We conducted an extensive overhaul of the area walls to make certain the fire was not traveling through some of the voids.” He added, “We were able bring it into control within a reasonable amount of time.” No estimate of damage is available at this time, which involves structure and the cost of kitchen equipment.

     For the second time, our regional Wastewater Treatment Plant received the Clean Water Award from the Conservation Foundation and the DuPage River Coalition. The award, which has been presented since 1997, recognizes municipal wastewater treatment facilities that perform above and beyond their permit standards and show ongoing commitment to keeping the DuPage River clean.

     Matt Ziffra, a senior at Community High School, was selected as the Student of the Month for December. He is an active member of Skills/USA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Athletic activities include swimming, soccer and tennis.