Around and About in West Chicago - 26 June 2008

     Northern Illinois University held a groundbreaking celebration for its $159 million proton therapy cancer treatment center June 19 at DuPage National Technology Park. Among the guests attending were NIU officials, state and local officials and other individuals representing businesses or institutions involved in the project. “This is a true collaboration of science, medicine and education,” said Cherilyn Murer, chairman of the NIU board of trustees.

     As a featured speaker, Mayor Michael Kwasman stressed the positives of the community and the benefits that will derive from the building of the proton cancer center.

     “A new day is dawning in West Chicago—one which promises to impact the lives of countless generations through cutting edge research and training in the growing field of particle therapy—one that will bring help and hope to those struggling with cancer. It is a great honor and privilege to represent the City of West Chicago at this momentous event in our City’s history. The groundbreaking for this world-class facility solidifies a global reputation of West Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding region for leadership in the nation’s new knowledge economy. The best and brightest minds, generating the most technologically advanced research and therapy will find a supportive, progressive, welcoming community in West Chicago. We humbly applaud your decision to locate here at the DuPage National Technology Park. It confirms what we have long known about West Chicago’s tremendous assets of location, transportation, workforce, housing and community demographics. Your commitment positions West Chicago for historic growth, and we will be ready. On behalf of the City of West Chicago, I welcome Northern Illinois Proton Treatment and Research Center to our community and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

     Former U.S. Representative Dennis Hastert, who championed both the creation of the technology park and the building of the proton treatment and research center, said, “The park is the result of people coming together to solve problems, share ideas and seeking solutions. Wonderful things happen when people have visions and do something to make them occur.”

     The center is the first one to be built in Illinois and “the 150,000 square foot facility is the only one in the upper area of the Midwest,” stated John Lewis, executive Director of NIPTRC. Existing proton centers are Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California, Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington Ind., Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, M.D Anderson Cancer Proton Center in Houston, Tex. and the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Fla.

     Construction of the center is to be completed in two years. As a major anchor of the technology park, the facility is expected to attract other businesses to complement the services of the proton and research center, explained Cathy Buettner, NIU vice president of external affairs.

.

AROUND AND ABOUT

     The Garden Club meeting is Thursday, June 26, at Faith Community Church, 910 Main St. Sharing time is at 6:45 p.m., with a brief business meeting at 7:15 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. West Chicago resident Lou Horton discusses underused ornamental trees. Horton is a master gardener with the Illinois Extension office, president of both the Northern Illinois and Midwest Regional Hosta Societies.

     St. Michaels United Church of Christ, 400 W. Washington St., hosts its third annual David Bailey Concert/Benefit at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 29. Bailey is a singer/songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire. He sings about living life’s journey with integrity and joy and his music brings a mix of lightheartedness, irony, wisdom and wit. He was diagnosed with brain cancer 12 years ago and opted to do what he loved in life. He has produced 16 CDs and performed at many different venues in the United States. The concert is a fundraiser for the American Brain Tumor Association and in memory of Curt Koehler, the late husband of Pastor Denise Griebler. The ticket price is $10.

     A gentle reminder of the increase for garbage pick up that goes into effect July 1. The monthly cost is $11.36 for a 35-gallon container and $20.01 for a 95-gallon container. The senior rate is $5.95. The refuse sticker price is $2.20. City Treasurer Don Earley said the City negotiated a contract with Crown Recycling and Waste, now Groot Industries, in 2005 and absorbed the rate increase in the second year. “Our proposed rates compare better than surrounding communities and West Chicago is the only one with a special senior rate.”

     Trinity Lutheran Church, 331 George St., holds its Vacation Bible School open to children ages 3 to 12 from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11. The theme to adventure is Friendship Trek. The charge is $10 for the first child in each family and each additional sibling is $7. To register or to receive further information, call the church office at (630) 231-1175.

     At the June 16 meeting, the City Council approved the ordinance to acquire the property at 314 High Street for the amount of $201,000 for the downtown redevelopment plan and project.

     The Friends of the West Chicago City Museum are selling fair trade canvas bags made by women of the Maquiladora Dignidad y Justicia, Dignity and Justice Factory Company, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.

     Bringing it closer to home, Emma Rios, owner of Casa Rios Bridal Boutique, is from the state of Coahuila and her good friend Josephina Serna and a West Chicago resident, is from the town of Piedras Negras. The totes feature the museum’s new logo, designed by local artist Anni Holm. The cost is $10, $8 for members or free with a family friends membership. The bags are available at the City Museum, 132 Main St.

     The students selected as 2008 Outstanding Physics Students at the high school were Priya Shah, Sarah Kimball and Samantha SanMiguel. Physics teacher Annette Rubino presented each student with a Certificate of Achievement and a membership to the American Association of Physics Teachers.

     The Lions Club held its Installation of Officers Dinner Friday, June 20. Officers are Dan Czuba, president; Mary Ann Manna, 1st vice president; Evelyn Canabal, 2nd vice president; Tom Feltes, 3rd vice president; Don Goncher, secretary and Dimitri Karantonis, treasurer. Other board members area LuAnn Bombard, tail twister; Clarence Shankle, lion tamer; Lore Chassee, membership; John Klingberg, chaplain; Don Earley, corporation coordinator and John Vires, past president. Directors are William Newell, Laz Perez, John Churillo and Chuck Berls.

     The Community High School District 94 Board of Education appointed Hal Chiodo as head football coach and physical education teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Bradley University. Chiodo taught at Coal City High School, Lexington High School and Morton High School. He served as head coach for 13 years at Morton High School, earning playoff berths 12 times. During his three years as coach at Lexington High School, his team reached the playoffs each year and the state championship one year. He was head coach at Coal City for two years and assistant coach for one year at Illinois State University.

     It has been a long time coming, but finally a Pace bus is providing some extra transportation to meet the needs of the residents of the community, said Mayor Kwasman. The last time our community had bus service was in early 1980s. Through a federal grant, the expansion of Route 747 extends from the DuPage County Complex to West Chicago to Charlestown Mall on weekdays. The Pace bus eastward route on Roosevelt Road ends at the Forest Park CTA Transit Center Blue Line via Oakbrook Center. The Pace bus has three designated West Chicago stops—Roosevelt Road and Joliet Street, the Metra train station on Main Street, and Route 59 and North Avenue. “This routing helps persons meet the high cost of gasoline by providing them with an alternative to driving and a way of transportation for those who do not own a car, drive or who have lost their driving privileges. “ The stop at the train station, one of the most popular for commuters, provides a mode for transportation to work, recreation or shopping. “We hope we can make it more accessible in the future, using Atlantic Avenue and other routes to get persons to their work locations,” he said. Another advantage is “meeting the goals of urbanization, making our downtown area more viable for persons of all ages.” City Treasurer Don Earley has used the bus service. “The drivers are very accommodating, working with the regular stops, but, with requests, stop at Wal-Mart or Target.” The bus schedule and route can be viewed at the website www.pacebus.com. Schedules also are available at City Hall. Senior citizens age 65 or over may register for the RTA reduced Rate Card at the Park District office or at the Wayne Township office.

     School District 33 appointed Brenda Vishanoff as its newest board member. She replaces Martin Swinney, who resigned to accept a job in Florida. The term ends in April 2009. She has been a teacher at Wheaton Academy for 12 years. She, her husband Bob and their three children, Rebekah, Joshua and Ben, have resided in West Chicago for nine years. Vishanoff worked with parents and staff to create a Parent-Teacher Organization at the Early Learning Center.