Daily Archive : Wednesday July 25, 2012
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News
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Carol Stream fires library director in 4-2 vote
On July 18, Ann Kennedy thought she had been fired. A week later, she is. The Carol Stream Public Library board voted 4-2 Wednesday to dismiss Kennedy as library director after six years in the position and a total of 20 years working at the library. Board President Mike Wade called a revote after learning the board's original 3-1 vote that he was short a vote to fire Kennedy.
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Elgin, contractors still adjusting to responsible bidder ordinance
Upgrades to Elgin's Eastside Recreation Center will be delayed because of noncompliance with a relatively new responsible bidder ordinance that applies to large city projects.
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Police: Cal Ripken's mom abducted, now safe
The 74-year-old mother of Hall of Fame infielder Cal Ripken was safe Wednesday, a day after an armed man abducted her from her home northeast of Baltimore, police said.
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Prosecutor: Ignored texts may have prompted Lombard arson
Todd Mandoline was so enraged when his ex-girlfriend didn't respond to a text message that he torched her car, igniting a quick-moving fire that killed the Lombard woman who had just celebrated her birthday, prosecutors said. The Villa Park man was being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated arson and arson in the Sunday fire that killed Paula Morgan, 24, and critically...
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Vote on state pension cuts could come in August
A coalition of labor leaders said House Speak Michael Madigan is considering asking for a vote on pension cuts for lawmakers and state workers — but not teachers — when lawmakers return to Springfield for one day next month. “That bill is part of what needs to be done — but not all of it,” said Brooke Anderson, spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn.
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Dimucci mall plan talk delayed
As expected, Lake County's zoning board of appeals on Wednesday postponed a planned public discussion on the controversial plans for the Dimucci family property near Hawthorn Woods. The schedule change was prompted by a request from Lake County administrators, who want to take time to speak with officials from Hawthorn Woods and North Barrington regarding their concerns about the plan.
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Photo enthusiasts tell visual story of DuPage County Fair
Patrick Spence held up his Nikon D90 and snapped a few pictures of children riding a carousel. Watching his surroundings as he walked, he found his way to a duck race, where a father held out a duck for his young daughter to let loose. But it was when he landed at a row of empty red swings that Spence found the shot he was looking for. The Naperville native was one of 14 contestants that competed...
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Police: Elgin man wanted to sell drugs near elementary school
A 31-year-old Elgin man, who was on probation for drug charges, is accused of trying to sell cocaine and marijuana near an Elgin elementary school, according to court records. Jayson P. Sturdivant, of the 1100 block of Morton Avenue, made a brief appearance in Kane County court Wednesday on charges that could land him in prison for a minimum of six years.
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Authorities: Man injures 2 ECC officers
A 25-year-old man is accused of assaulting two Elgin Community College police officers who were responding to an area of the campus where the he was making workers feel uncomfortable, according to a school spokesman. James N. Pobol, who is not an ECC student, was in the school's Visual & Performing Arts Center for an unknown reason on July 18, Elgin Community College spokesman Jeff Julian said.
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Images: Wednesday’s Lake County Fair
The 84th Annual Lake County Fair "A Fair to Remember" is enjoyed by fairgoers from Wednesday, July 25 through Sunday, July 29. Rides, food, animals, entertainment and queen crownings are all part of this annual fair in Grayslake.
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Obama pledges to work with Congress on violence
In one of his most expansive responses yet to gun crime, President Barack Obama on Wednesday embraced some degree of control on the sale of weapons but said he would also seek a national consensus on combating violence.
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Report: Suspect described killings in package
The university once attended by a man accused of killing 12 people in a Colorado movie theater confirmed Wednesday it received a suspicious package two days earlier that was turned over to authorities, but it wouldn't confirm its contents or sender.
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Images: The DuPage County Fair in Wheaton
The DuPage County Fair opened Wednesday in Wheaton for a five day run.
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Romney ready for his international closeup
Mitt Romney — a one-term governor untested on the world's political stage — faces high stakes in the coming week during visits to England, Israel and Poland. It's a trip that amounts to an international audition.
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Senate OKs Dem tax-cut bill in showdown with GOP
Democrats pushed a yearlong extension of tax cuts for all but the highest-earning Americans through the Senate on Wednesday, giving President Barack Obama and his party a significant political victory on a measure that is fated to go no further in Congress.
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St. Charles banker charged with theft, forgery, financial exploitation of elderly man
A St. Charles woman has been charged with financially exploiting an elderly person, forgery and theft. According to a complaint filed in Kane County circuit court, Lynn A. Pranga, while in a position of trust and confidence, financially exploited an 81-year-old man by knowingly obtaining control over more than $5,000 of his money.
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’Sister Wives’ family challenges Utah bigamy law
Kody Brown and his four wives just want to live like any other family — free from the threat of being tossed in prison. But in Utah, just claiming to have more than one wife is a third-degree felony punishable by a sentence of up to five years.
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School’s in session
It was back to school Wednesday for students and staff at the Ridge Family Center for Learning in Elk Grove Village. One of the few year-round schools in the Northwest suburbs, Ridge is in Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59, which has students from Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights.
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LEDs to replace roadway incandescent lights
The Cook County Highway Department will be replacing incandescent streetlights with LEDs starting this year and going into 2013. The LEDs consume significantly less power than incandescent signals, but are brighter and have a longer life, officials say.
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Men escape Aurora emergency landing unharmed
Two California men were uninjured when their single-engine plane made an emergency landing Wednesday morning into a cornfield just north of the Aurora Municipal Airport. Their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza lost engine power as they were taking off. "They just brought it down to a soft landing in the corn field," said Sugar Grove Fire Chief Marty Kunke lKunkel said.
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Discrimination suit against District 15 moves forward
A federal judge has allowed a former assistant principal's wrongful termination and discrimination lawsuit against Palatine Township Elementary District 15 to move forward, according to court documents. In the suit, Elizabeth Wong, a former assistant principal at Carl Sandburg Junior High School in Rolling Meadows, claims she was fired in March 2011 for reporting to district authorities that her...
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Meeting to address crime at Hoffman Estates condos
Hoffman Estates officials will meet Thursday night with condominium residents to address their concerns about crime and the police department's response to complaints. Highland Crossing property manager Kathy Doherty said residents tell her they frequently deal with drunk trespassers and speeding cars, but are unsatisfied with police response.
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Hoffman Estates moves closer to allowing video gambling
The Hoffman Estates village board approved a zoning code amendment this week that excludes state-licensed video gaming terminals from the village's definition of "amusement device," a move that brings officials closer to authorizing video gambling in village establishments.
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2011 Elk Grove Tour nominated for award
SportsTravel magazine has announced that the 2011 Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove has been nominated for a 2012 SportsTravel Award. "The people of Elk Grove Village should take great pride in knowing that an event held in their city is being recognized for its excellence," said Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine.
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Local athlete in national event
Grayslake North High School student AJ Fish will play in a prestigious national lacrosse match Friday.
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Democratic candidates forum in Schaumburg Aug. 6
The Schaumburg Area Democrats will host a Democratic Candidates Forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6 at Chandler's Chop House at the Schaumburg Golf Club, 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. Scheduled to attend are 8th Congressional District candidate Tammy Duckworth, 56th District state Rep. Michelle Mussman, 22nd District state Sen. Mike Noland, 28th District state Sen. Dan Kotowski, and possibly more.
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Beach in Island Lake closed
Island Lake's Park Beach has been closed due to E. coli bacteria contamination, officials confirmed Wednesday.
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Wauconda students win national business awards
A communitywide effort helped some members of a Wauconda High School business club to finish in the top 10 of a national competition that featured 8,000 students. The Future Business Leaders of America Club (FBLA Club), which ended 41 years ago at Wauconda High, was reactivated just two years ago, officials said. Teacher Wendy Mills, who restarted the club said it continues to grow with local...
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Woman drives car into Schaumburg pond, escapes unharmed
A woman who accidentally drove her car into a pond Wednesday afternoon at a Schaumburg apartment complex near the 2500 block of Brush Road, got out safely, authorities said. Police said no one else was in the vehicle.
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Emmons Elementary District 33 welcomes new principal, superintendent
Emmons Elementary District 33 is getting used to a new face this summer as the newly hired superintendent and principal prepares for her next three years. Two weeks in to her job in the one-school K-8 district, Eileen Conway said what she is most looking forward to is being able to work in many different areas.
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Grayslake honors acting police chief, new top cop starts Monday
Jack McKeever has received recognition from Grayslake's elected officials for his willingness to temporarily lead the police department after the former chief was charged with causing an alcohol-related crash in Wisconsin. Grayslake's new police chief,Phillip Perlini,takes over Monday.
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Western Bypass agreements approved by Algonquin
The Algonquin village board has approved various agreements to move forward with the construction of the so-called Western Bypass of Route 31 in Algonquin, officials said.
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Free arthritis seminar Friday in Buffalo Grove
State Rep. Sid Mathias and the Arthritis Foundation, will sponsor a free arthritis and exercise seminar from 10 a.m.-noon Friday, July 27 at the Buffalo Grove Park District Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Learn about arthritis and its symptoms, and medications and exercises that help with pain management.
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Batavia graduation ceremony might go off-site in 2013
Batavia High School may join the ranks of Kane County high schools and conduct graduation ceremonies off-site. Principal Lisa Hichens told the school board Tuesday that she and the secretary who plans the ceremony have been investigating parents' interest and looking into potential places.
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‘Sailing museum’ of Columbus replica ships to dock in Waukegan
Replicas of Columbus' ships will come to Waukegan Harbor July 26-30. The "sailing museum" will educate members of the public about the Portuguese ships, caravels, which were used by early explorers. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children ages 5-16.
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Waubonsee remains committed to diversity and inclusion
People from a variety of cultural backgrounds represent our friends and neighbors, our colleagues and classmates. Waubonsee Community College is proud to have received the Illinois Community College Trustees Association's 2012 Equity Award for our efforts in promoting collegewide equity and diversity.
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Food pantry experiencing drought of perishable food
Like the weather outside, the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville is going through a drought of money its volunteers use to buy items such as meat, fruits and vegetables. Volunteers need about $7,000 a month to buy the perishable food, said pantry President Mary Graziano.
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Sally Ride sparks posthumous debate on coming out
Pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, who relished privacy as much as she did adventure, chose an appropriately discreet manner of coming out.
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North Korea confirms Kim is married
North Korea ended weeks of speculation Wednesday by confirming that the mystery woman beside young leader Kim Jong Un at recent public events is indeed his wife, "comrade Ri Sol Ju."
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Suburban men charged in collectibles auction fraud
The former owner of a renowned memorabilia auction house based in suburban Chicago and three others have been indicted on federal fraud charges. The indictment alleges the men rigged auctions and misrepresented the authenticity and condition of some items to buyers. The men face 20 years in prison if convicted.
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Barn fires in McHenry County under investigation
McHenry County Sheriff investigators are looking for help from the public to solve a slew of barn fires that ignited in the past couple of weeks. Sheriff Keith Nygren announced Wednesday an active investigation has been opened regarding multiple fires in the rural McHenry County area.
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Four suburbs make it on transit-friendly list
Got express trains? Decent coffee, bike racks, clean washrooms and well-lit parking for commuters? Arlington Heights does and so do Wheaton, Naperville, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect, joining 20 other municipalities on a DePaul University list of the “Top Transit Suburbs” released Wednesday. Given that some commuters may take the train to work 10,000 times in their life, “it's...
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Police: Gilberts man charged with 5th DUI, ‘unaware’ of crash
A 56-year-old Gilberts man had a blood-alcohol level nearly 3.5 times the legal limit after being arrested by Elgin Police and charged with his fifth DUI, records show. Terrance P. Gallagher faces four to 15 years in prison on aggravated DUI. Police arrested him at his home in the 700 block of Tipperary Street after a hit-and-run crash at 4:28 p.m. Saturday at Randall and Big Timber roads in...
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Corn Boil longtime Sugar Grove tradition
When the annual Sugar Grove Corn Boil began 45 years ago, the town had just been incorporated, and its population was in the hundreds, not the thousands. The corn was boiled in an old steam train engine. Much of the festival's corn was grown by the very same hands who gathered to eat it. Today, the festival no longer utilizes an old steam engine to boil its corn — in fact, more than 10,000...
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The Great American Duck Race fills the bill at DuPage County Fair
The Great American Duck Race is returning to the DuPage County Fair with multiple shows through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Wheaton. In an odd twist of fate, the guy who runs them is named Robert Duck. Really. "Usually I have to show them my ID, my driver's license," Duck said of skeptics who can't wrap their heads around the story of a man and his namesake sport. He has some big-league birds in...
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Senate ready for symbolic showdown on tax cuts
WASHINGTON — Senate leaders moved toward showdown votes Wednesday on rival Democratic and Republican plans for extending broad tax cuts that will otherwise expire in January.
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Lawsuit vs ex-rep in Conn. settled
HARTFORD, Conn. — The family of a Connecticut woman found frozen to death in 2009 has settled a lawsuit against a former state lawmaker and a Cromwell tavern accused of negligence and recklessness.
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Iowa woman pleads guilty to ‘19 Kids’ extortion
IOWA CITY, Iowa — An Iowa woman has pleaded guilty to attempting to extort the parent company of cable network TLC by threatening to reveal an alleged affair involving a cast member of the popular reality show “19 Kids and Counting.”
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Parachutist Fearless Felix jumps from 18 miles
Skydiver “Fearless Felix” Baumgartner has done it again.On Wednesday, Baumgartner took another stratospheric leap, this time from an altitude of more than 18 miles — an estimated 96,640 feet, nearly three times higher than cruising jetliners. He landed safely near Roswell, N.M., according to a project spokeswoman.
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Mild quake rattles Los Angeles area; no damage
LOS ANGELES — Seismologists say a mild earthquake widely felt throughout Southern California was centered along the coast west of downtown Los Angeles. No injuries were reported.
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Un is now 2: North Korea confirms Kim is married
SEOUL, South Korea — With the briefest of remarks, North Korea ended weeks of speculation: The mystery woman accompanying young leader Kim Jong Un to recent public events is his wife, “comrade Ri Sol Ju.”
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Buddy baseball gives kids a chance at classic sport
Every summer, from Bartlett to Wheaton to Buffalo Grove, buddy baseball leagues can be found bringing together special needs athletes and non-disabled kids. As more programs spring up, there is a hope among coaches that more people will reap the benefits - ranging from commraderie to self-confidence - that buddy baseball offers to everyone involved.
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It rained! So is the drought over? Not quite
Is it over? Have the recent rains ended this summer's drought, saved our plants, and spared the Midwest's corn crop? Here in the suburbs, Tuesday's rain helped bring monthly precipitation to near-normal levels, but don't pack your sprinkler away just yet. "We're slowly starting to turn the corner here, but we still need several weeks of good rains," a meteorologist said.
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New bike path connects central Lake County
A new bike trail along Midlothian Road connecting several destinations in the Mundelein and Grayslake areas has been completed six weeks aghead of schedule. Users can take the Prairie Crossing bike path to the Lake County Fair, which starts Wednesday.
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DuPage rivers good, could be better, report says
A new report by a local Sierra Club group says that DuPage County's rivers are healthier than they were 12 years ago but that more work is needed. "They (the waterways) are all improving," said Tom Richardson of the River Prairie Group. "Yet there are still challenges."
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District 204 puts overcrowding in its sights
Overcrowded Indian Prairie District 204 schools, such as Young Elementary, can expect boundary changes for next year, while other schools may see boundary changes the follwing year. "In October, we're going to tell you where the problems are and it's going to be put right back in your lap with how to proceed," said Mark Porter of the consulting firm the district hired this week.
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Conservation Foundation bids farewell to midnight bike ride
At midnight on Sunday, July 29, Jill Johnson will stand back and watch 500 red, blinking lights ride off in the darkness as Eric Clapton's "After Midnight" plays in the background. Those blinking lights will belong to bicyclists participating in theChase the Moon Midnight Bike Ride to benefit the Naperville-based Conservation Foundation.
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Drought might help hunters
Dry conditions this summer are helping managers of migratory-bird refuges cultivate ideal habitat conditions in Illinois River Valley wetlands. Couple that with reports of record numbers of ducks on the breeding grounds in the north-central United States and Canada, and the stage is set for a spectacular fall migration in central Illinois.That could be good news for waterfowl hunters.
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Man’s burned body found in vacant lot in Gary
Northwestern Indiana police are investigating the grisly discovery of a man's severely burned body in a vacant lot in Gary.
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Rep. Constance Howard resigns from Legislature
An Illinois lawmaker who promoted an AIDS awareness organization that attracted the interest of federal prosecutors has resigned.
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Ind. fairgrounds Coliseum upgrade to add new arena
The $63 million renovation of the Indiana State Fairgrounds' Coliseum complex will include adding a new, 20,000-square-foot arena.
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Man convicted of killing teen playing video games
A Will County jury has convicted a suburban Chicago man in the January 2011 murder of a 14-year-old boy who was playing video games in his Lockport home when he was shot to death.
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3 brothers from 1 Wis. Family to become priests
When Luke Strand started college nine years ago, he wanted to earn a marketing degree, a job in the business world, then a house and children.Now he's a priest and that's not all. His brother, Vincent, is on his way to being ordained a Jesuit priest and their youngest brother, Jake, was ordained in the spring.
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Competition is fierce for animal exhibitors at the DuPage County Fair
Richard Crome clicks with the sheep he shows and sells — they're compatible, he says. "They have a lot of interesting characteristics that we as human beings can learn from," he said. Animal exhibitors like Crome began arriving at the DuPage County Fair with their animals early Tuesday in preparation for opening day on Wednesday.
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Dawn Patrol: Shooting victim’s visitation; fatal Rt. 53 crash
Funeral set for Crystal Lake theater shooting victim. Schaumburg man killed in Route 53 crash. Thousands remain without power after Tuesday morning's storm. Man charged with murder, arson after Lombard fire. FBI: Suspects robbed 4th bank since May. Bears GM Emery says team needs to earn Super Bowl talk.
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From country singers to racing pigs, it's at DuPage Fair
There's something 'bout a hot summer day at the DuPage County Fair. A big ol' sign that says "come on in." The smell of festival food, farm animals and the sounds of fun. Something 'bout a hot summer day at the DuPage County Fair. At least that's how main stage headliner and "Something 'Bout a Truck" country music artist Kip Moore might sing a song about the fair, which runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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Lindenhurst to study water, sewer for Village Green
Lindenhurst has hired a company that will study extending water and sewer system to the Village Green property at routes 45 and 132 in hope to attract developers to the property. “We decided that rather than wait for a developer to come in and pay for water to get to that site, we decided to be proactive and say we're going to put that infrastructure in so we are a much more attractive area...
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Ruling: Security union can’t get arbitration, can strike
An appellate court panel has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a union that represents court security officers in Kane County. The officers have been working without a contract since 2008, but a judge issued a favorable ruling last fall that they were essential employees and had a right to arbitration through the Illinois Labor Relations Board. An appellate panel reversed that decision. "We're back...
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Carol Stream library director on firing line — again
The Carol Stream Public Library board will try again Wednesday to give Director Ann Kennedy the pink slip. The seven-member board last week voted 3-1 to dismiss Kennedy, a 20-year employee who has been director for the past six years. But two trustees abstained and one was absent and members learned the following morning their bylaws required four votes, or a majority of trustees present, to make...
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Lake County Teen Court program seeks new funding
A Lake County program that has given first-time juvenile offenders a second chance at a clean record for more than 17 years may be shut down. Teen Court, a program run by Nicasa, a behavioral health organization serving Lake County communities, is no longer receiving state funding, forcing them to run fundraisers and appeal to local townships for grant money. Bruce Johnson, a former police chief...
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FBI: Suspects rob 4th area bank since late May
Three men are accused of robbing their fourth suburban bank in the past two months, this time in Elmhust. Police say the suspects robbed the TCF Branch inside a Jewel-Osco at 944 S. York Road just before noon Monday.
Sports
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Penn State players vow to stick together post-scandal
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — More than 30 Penn State football players say they're staying in Happy Valley despite NCAA sanctions that will keep the Nittany Lions out of a bowl game for the rest of their careers.Flanked by more than two dozen teammates, seniors Michael Mauti and Michael Zordich vowed to restore Penn State to greatness after an unprecedented child sex abuse scandal that shattered the program's image as a place where “success with honor” was the rule.“We want to let the nation know that we're proud of who we are,” Zordich said Wednesday. “We're the true Penn Staters, and we're going to stick together through this. We're going to see this thing through, and we're going to do everything we can for the university. We know it's not going to be easy, but we know what we're made of.” Neither Zordich nor Mauti — both sons of former Penn State players — mentioned former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky by name.“We take this as an opportunity to create our own legacy,” Mauti said. “This program was not built by one man and it's sure as hell not going to get torn down by one man. This program was built on every alumni, every single player that came before us, built on their backs.”The Nittany Lions will not be able to play in a bowl game until the 2016 season, and the scholarship reductions they'll receive could make it difficult for new coach Bill O'Brien to field a competitive squad during the next few seasons. That's why support will be needed from fans and alumni more than ever, the players said.“We're going to do everything in our power to get this place back on track,” Zordich said. “I'm personally calling out every member of Nittany Nation — all the students, faculty, fans and family members, alumni, everything that there is. Please, please come support us through this, because we need you just as much as you need us. And together we're going to get through this thing to the end.”It's been less than two weeks since an investigation by former FBI director Louis Freeh concluded former coach Joe Paterno and other high-ranking university officials covered up abuse allegations involving Sandusky, who awaits sentencing on charges he abused 10 boys, some of them in team facilities.In that time, Paterno's bronze likeness has been removed from outside Beaver Stadium and the NCAA imposed harsh sanctions that include a $60 million fine and a four-year bowl ban. The NCAA also erased 14 years of Paterno's victories, stripping him of his standing as the winningest coach in the history of big-time college football. “No sanction, no politician is ever going to take away what we've got here,” Mauti said. “None of that's ever going to tear us apart. Right now all we can do is put our heads down, and we're just going to work. That's all we can do. We're going to fight for Penn State, fight for each other, because this is what Penn State's about — fighting through adversity.”
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Mount Prospect follows advice, wins twice
Using the wisdom of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden would be regarded as a wise move.Mount Prospect American Legion baseball coach Tom Krumsee has seen how powerful it can be the last few weeks. Particularly on Wednesday when his team was faced with two nine-inning Cook County tournament games at two different places in heat approaching 100 degrees.Fourth-seeded Prospect (13-17-1) beat No. 5 Palatine 8-7 at Harper College and then went over to Rec Park in Arlington Heights and held on for a stunning 7-6 upset of top-seeded Arlington (22-13).
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Roth, Valadez propel Boomers
An RBI-single in the fourth off the bat of catcher Mike Valadez provided the only run as the Schaumburg Boomers defeated the Joliet Slammers 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel Wednesday at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg.Coming off a big series victory against the Windy City ThunderBolts, the Boomers (36-25) rode the left arm of starter Cameron Roth (7-4, 3.26) to win their second straight and improve to 25-9 at Boomers Stadium.The 6-foot-4 former Baltimore Orioles farmhand struck out eight in 8 shutout innings. Closer Patrick Mincey clinched another Boomers victory by striking out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth for his 11th save of the season.K.C. Judge, the newest member of the Boomers, acquired Tuesday in a trade that sent J.B. Brown to the Normal CornBelters, was the lone Schaumburg batter with multiple hits on the night. Karexon Sanchez reached base three times for the Boomers out of the leadoff spot, thanks to a hit and a pair of walks.
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Rattlers pounce on Cougars
A five-run second inning was all the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers needed as they knocked off the Kane County Cougars 5-2 Wednesday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.Angel Baez (5-3) had only allowed 1 earned run all month until the Timber Rattlers (58-42, 14-17) busted things open in the top of the second.Nick Ramirez doubled with one out and scored on a single off the bat of Mike Garza. Garza ended up at third after a Rafael Neda single which loaded the bases. Yadiel Rivera’s fielder’s choice scored Garza.Chadwin Stang came up with the big blow, a triple into right-center, scoring Lance Roenicke and Rivera. Stang.Baez didn’t give up another hit as he made it through 5 innings while striking out five. Matt Miller (8-7) started for the Timber Rattlers and worked 8 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits.Justin Trapp helped the Cougars (50-51, 16-15) take the lead in the bottom of the first by singling and stealing second before scoring on a base hit from Danny Mateo.Trapp ripped a triple to deep center in the seventh which brought Kenny Swab across the plate.
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Crisp hits 2 HRs, A’s romp to 7th straight win
TORONTO — Coco Crisp hit two home runs and Yoenis Cespedes had a pair of RBI doubles, leading A.J. Griffin and the Oakland Athletics over the Toronto Blue Jays 16-0 Wednesday night for their season-high seventh straight win.It was the most-lopsided shutout loss ever for Toronto. Things got so out of hand that the Blue Jays used catcher Jeff Mathis to pitch the ninth inning, and he gave up two runs on an RBI double by Brandon Hicks and an RBI single by Brandon Moss.Chris Carter homered and drove in three runs. He drew a bases-loaded walk from Ricky Romero during an eight-run second inning as Oakland improved to 16-2 in July.Griffin (3-0) gave up three hits in six innings. The rookie struck out nine.
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Angels beat Royals 11-6 behind Weaver, Trout
Five innings on a muggy afternoon were enough this time for Jered Weaver. Weaver won his seventh straight start to tie a career best and Torii Hunter, Mike Trout and Bobby Wilson homered for the Los Angeles Angels in an 11-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
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Patriots’ Baader to have ACL surgery
Say “Hallo” — Or is it “Gruezi” or “Guten Tag” in German? — to Rachel Baader, who’s aiming to be new and improved in more ways than one in a few months.Wish Stevenson’s volleyball star good luck (English will suffice) on her surgery scheduled for next Thursday, too.The operation to repair her torn left ACL will sideline her long enough that she’ll miss her senior season for the Patriots. It’s a tough break for the 5-foot-10 outside hitter who over Spring Break verbally committed to play Ivy League volleyball for the University of Pennsylvania.This summer, Baader’s Sky High club team was playing Sports Performance at nationals in Orlando, Fla., when she chased a ball near the antennae, jumped and landed on the ref’s stand.“My knee just blew out,” Baader said. “I landed and I started yelling out, ‘It’s broken!’ because I heard something. But it turned out that it was a pop rather than a crack. It was my ACL that had torn.“They had to like drag me off the court.”She actually laughed when recalling that agonizing moment on the court. Go ahead and laugh along with Baader, because she’s not crying about her misfortune.Stevenson volleyball may be melancholy about the reality that its three-year all-area hitter will miss the entire fall season, but the unflappable player isn’t about to use any foul language.She’s just going to learn a new language.And tie an apron on, too.“It was rough,” Baader said of her initial reaction to her season-ending injury. “When I went down, the first things that went through my head were, one, ‘I want to be with my team to win nationals,’ and, two, ‘My high school season.’ But, you know, there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s how I look at it. It happened. I can’t say, ‘Oh, what if it didn’t happen?’ Now I just have to deal with it. I have to stick with my physical therapy and stay positive.”She’s positively positive about that. So, she plans to use her down time to, in her words, “better myself as a person.”She plans to learn how to cook and how to speak German. Her dad and aunt speak German. She takes Spanish at Stevenson.Is it any surprise that the bright girl with the bright future (she plans to study finance at Penn) has cooked up a game plan? Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. Baader’s positive attitude has always been one of her strengths as an athlete and person.“I’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but I’ve never really had the time,” Baader said. “(Last week) I cooked chicken potpies for my family. It was pretty good.”Maybe she’ll hit the kitchen and cook up something for her coaches at Penn when she makes an official visit in the fall. After all, after seeing how the coaches attended to her at nationals following her injury, she left Florida with a good taste in her mouth.“They’ve been so supportive,” Baader said. “They were actually at the game when it happened. They took me to the trainer and everything. My coach was on the phone with her trainer back at Penn, trying to figure out what (the injury) was.”While she waits to have her wounded knee cut open, Baader is doing “pre-hab” so the muscles supporting her knee will be in the best possible shape following surgery. The plan is to have her doing light running in two months and actual volleyball activities in 5-6 months. If all goes well, she could be back playing for her club team in the spring.Maybe she’ll return to the court before Derrick Rose. One of the doctors who performed the ACL surgery on the Bulls’ MVP is Dr. Charles Bush-Joseph. He’s Baader’s orthopedic, as well.“So I’m going to be doing all the things that Derrick Rose is doing to get better.” Baader said, proudly.The high school volleyball season will be strange at Stevenson with no Baader playing. Siblings Jennifer, Kristen and John all starred for the Patriots.
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Travel softball teams set tryouts
The Northern Illinois Lightning, Elgin Heat. Fox Valley Renegades and Crystal Lake Tidal Waves fastpitch softball organizations have set their tryout dates for the 2012-13 travel softball season.Northern Illinois Lightning tryouts: The Lightning will hold tryouts for the 16U and 18U levels beginning Aug. 7 at Judson University in Elgin. Tryouts for the 16U team will be from 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 and from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. Tryouts for the 18U team will be from 7-9 p.m. on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 and from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. For more information, call (847) 812-1522 or log on to northernillinoislightning.com. Preregistration is encouraged. The Lightning will not have a 14U team in 2012-13.Elgin Heat tryouts: The Elgin Heat will field teams at the 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U levels and hold tryouts at the Elgin Sports Complex. All levels will try out on fields 6 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Aug. 4, and then 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. For more information call Steve Cooper at (224) 629-6281.Fox Valley Renegades tryouts: The Renegades will hold tryouts at Jockey Field in East Dundee. Tryouts for 12U and 14U will be on Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Aug. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 11 and Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tryouts for 16U and 18U will be from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and Aug. 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 8 and from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. For more information, contact Glenn Smith at (630) 936-6070. An online registration form is available at www.foxvalleyrenegadessoftball.com.Tidal Waves tryouts: The Tidal Waves will hold tryouts at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake on Aug. 4, 5, 8 and 11. Tryout times for the 10U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U and 18U teams are available at www.tidalwaves.org.
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With clucth win, Jacobs knocks Montini out of Lawler Classic
Jacobs may have lost the first baseball matchup with Montini, but the Golden Eagles won the game that mattered most: the rematch.Jacobs avenged Monday's loss to the Broncos with Wednesday's 4-2 elimination game victory in the Lawler Summer Classic at Benedictine University. The Golden Eagles face Lyons Township in the semifinals at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Lisle with a berth in the final on the line.
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Scherzer wins 4th straight as Tigers beat Indians
Max Scherzer allowed two runs over seven innings to win his fourth straight decision and the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians for only the second time in eight games this season with a 5-3 victory Wednesday night. Quintin Berry had three hits and drove in two runs to help Scherzer (10-5) win for the first time in four career starts at Progressive Field.
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Dempster tosses water cooler as Cubs lose
If Ryan Dempster did indeed make his final start for the Chicago Cubs, he left a lasting impression.Pulled for a pinch hitter by manager Dale Sveum in the seventh inning Wednesday, Dempster threw a water cooler in the dugout as the Cubs went on to lose a 3-2 game to the Pittsburgh Pirates."I have a lot of respect for our manager, but I don't always have to agree with every move he makes," Dempster said. "I'm allowed to be upset, but I was over it as soon as I got to the clubhouse."Dempster has had a lot on his mind this week. He is mulling whether to accept a trade to Atlanta and said he also is "keeping all my options open."
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Grinding it out suits these Sox just fine
Yes. the Twins are a bad baseball team. But the White Sox overcame a bad road trip and were more than good enough to complete a three-game sweep over Minnesota Wednesday with an 8-2 win at U.S. Cellular Field.
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Heat is on Bears like never before
As the players filed into Bourbonnais this week, this Bears team was already expected by many in Chicago to be an NFC title contender. Yes, one day into camp there is already tremendous pressure on this roster to reach the Super Bowl.
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Sox reliever Crain trying to take positives from rough outing
Fresh off his second trip to the disabled list this season, White Sox relief pitcher Jesse Crian said he still is rusty after issuing 3 walks during Wedensday's win over the Twins.
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Deja vu in battle for Bears’ starting cornerback spot
There is an odd dynamic at work in the Bears' secondary, where former Colts teammates Tim Jennings and Kelvin Hayden are competing to start at the other cornerback spot alongside Pro Bowler Charles Tillman.The two contestants played together in Indianapolis for four years and now they are competing again"He's like my brother," Hayden said. "It's good to see him doing well, seeing him go out there and make plays and see the progress that he's made from being a rookie until now."
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Youkilis says he’ll be ready to play Friday
White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis left the game early Wednesday with what the team said was a sprained left ankle. Youkilis, whose RBI single in the third put the White Sox up 3-1 against the Minnesota Twins, was removed for a pinch-hitter an inning later.
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NIU football rated second in MAC poll
Northern Illinois, the defending Mid-American Conference champions with the longest win streak in the nation, is ranked second in the MAC's West Division behind Toledo in the 2012 MAC Preseason Poll released Tuesday by the league office.
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Viciedo’s 4 RBIs lead White Sox over Twins 8-2
Dayan Viciedo homered and drove in four runs, and the White Sox beat Minnesota 8-2 Wednesday for a three-game sweep of the last-place Twins. Viciedo hit a two-run single in the second inning and added a two-run homer in the fourth, finishing with three hits. Alex Rios also homered for the White Sox, who have won 10 of their last 11 home games.
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Bears’ Knox jogging, but return a long way off
For now, the best that injured Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox can hope for are baby steps. The brutal hit he took late last season necessitated spinal fusion surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process that is still in its early stages. "I'm jogging," said Knox, who still hasn't regained much of the 30 pounds he lost from an already spindly frame. "I don't have that same burst that I used to have, but that's to be expected with this injury. But I'm jogging and moving around pretty good."
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Phillies rally again to beat Brewers 7-6 in 10
PHILADELPHIA — Jimmy Rollins hit an RBI single off Francisco Rodriguez with two outs in the 10th and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied in their last at-bat for the fourth straight day, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6 to complete their first three-game sweep of the season on Wednesday.The five-time defending NL East champions have won four in a row, including three walkoff wins.Rollins had the winning hit in the 12th against San Francisco on Sunday. The Phillies scored four runs off Rodriguez in the ninth in a 7-6 win Monday, and six in the eighth in a 7-6 win Tuesday.Earlier in the day, the Phillies signed Cole Hamels to a $144 million, six-year deal that prevents the 2008 World Series MVP from becoming a free agent in November.
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Francisco homers as Braves beat Marlins 7-1
Juan Francisco homered and drove in three runs, helping the Atlanta Braves beat Miami 7-1 Wednesday after the downsizing Marlins jettisoned yet another star player by trading Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Rock bass deserve more than a sneer
While many guides and angler prefer to throw a fit or smirk at those who enjoy the tussle from a rock bass, Mike Jackson says he take a rock bass over no bites at all any time under the hot sun. He explains why in this week's outdoors column.
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Strasburg Ks 11, Nats complete sweep of Mets
Stephen Strasburg struck out 11 in seven dominant innings, Michael Morse and Danny Espinosa hit consecutive homers and the Washington Nationals completed a sweep of the free-falling New York Mets on Wednesday with a 5-2 victory. Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer for a second straight day, and Espinosa doubled and scored on one of the Mets' two errors in the Nationals' fifth win in a row. The team with the NL's best record (58-39) has won seven of 10.
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Jager named USA Track and Field Athlete of the Week
After setting a new U.S. record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Algonquin native and Jacobs High School grad Evan Jager was named Athlete of the Week by USA Track and Field on Wednesday. Jager ran a record time of 8:06.81 in the event in Monaco on Friday, besting the previous U.S. mark, set by Daniel Lincoln, by two seconds. Jager dropped 11 seconds off his qualifying time from the U.S. trials. He finished third in the event and will compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London on Aug. 3.
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New soccer franchise to bare its Soul in suburbs
Now there is a new name and a new face — or logo to be accurate — to put with the newest pro sports franchise in the suburbs. The newest member of the 8-team Major Indoor Soccer League will be officially known as Chicago Soul FC, and team officials unveiled a new logo Wednesday for the fledging franchise. The logo features black, white, neon green and silver colors within a triangular emblem and consists of a blazing soccer ball over the text, "Chicago Soul FC."
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A cougar at large, a goat man and a bear in a mall
In addition to his local fishing notes, Mike Jackson's outdoors notes has the latest on a cougar sighting in Wisconsin, the story of a mysterious mountain goat in Utah, and bears on the prowl at a mall in Pittsburgh. Check out the online links to photos, video and more.
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Mike North video: It could have been worse for Penn State
Mike North thinks Penn State's punishment should have been much more harsh considering the crimes committed. Avoiding the death penalty saved Penn State's other college sports.
Business
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Ikea installs solar panels to generate own power
Swedish home furnishings retailer Ikea Wednesday debuted perhaps the largest commercial rooftop solar energy panel arrays in the state on its stores in Schaumburg and Bolingbrook. The company aims to install the panels in at least 39 of its 44 U.S. stores, distribution centers and offices as part of its global initiative to conserve energy, Ikea spokesman Joseph Roth said.
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Mercy officials looking ahead to hearing for new hospital
While one hospital system is looking forward to building in McHenry County, another hospital system remains in limbo over whether it can do the same. Mercy Health System has to wait until September before the board considers hears its appeal on building a 70-bed hospital in Crystal Lake. "We're confident that we will present a case that is compelling," said Rich Gruber, Mercy's vice president of community advocacy.
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USDA says drought will push up food prices in 2013
The drought gripping more than half the country is a major reason why consumers can expect to pay 3 percent to 4 percent more for groceries next year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday.
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Schaumburg opposes diving shop in unincorporated home
Schaumburg trustees have formally opposed a request before the Cook County Board for a relocated scuba diving shop to operate in a home just beyond the village's borders. Sea Lions Dive Center moved from a rented location in Hanover Park into a home at 422 Springsouth Road late last year due to the economy's impact on the diving industry.
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S&P 500 slips on weak earnings; Dow gains
Whipsawed by strong earnings from some companies, weak ones from others, including the once infallible Apple, investors couldn't make up their mind whether to buy or sell on Wednesday. In the end, they mostly sold, but barely.
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Lincolnshire to get first grocery store, should open in 2013
Lincolnshire's mayor hopes newly approved plans for the village's first grocery store will lead to more activity in the developing downtown area. "A grocery store tends to draw people in and bring a community together, much like a train station," Mayor Brett Blomberg said Wednesday, two days after the village board approved plans for the Fresh Market store.
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Motorola Solutions profits down, but growth anticipated
Motorola Solutions posted lower earnings in the second quarter, but they said it's because last year's second quarter was unusually large with the sale of its networks business. CEO Greg Brown wasn’t worried that net earnings for the second quarter were $182 million, compared to $349 million the year before. That second-quarter 2011 was unusually large due to the sale of its Networks business.
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GOP: Geithner failed to tell Congress about LIBOR
Republican lawmakers are criticizing Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for failing to alert Congress four years ago that banks could have been manipulating a key global interest rate.
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NBC tops $1 billion in Olympics ad sales
NBC says it has topped the $1 billion mark in advertising sales for the Olympic Games beginning this week in London.
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American CEO bashes US Airways; calls it desperate
American Airlines CEO Tom Horton wants to set the record straight: It was he who approached US Airways CEO Doug Parker about the possibility of combining the two airlines, not the other way around.
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Suburban tourism -- and tax revenues -- increase
Local counties were among those gaining the most tourism dollars across the state during 2011, which is fueling a so-called road show with state officials touting those numbers to help keep the momentum going. Cook and DuPage counties saw revenues climb more than 8 percent. Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties saw about 6 percent more revenue pouring back in after some tough years.
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Caterpillar shares jump as 2q profit grows 67 pct
Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc. says its second-quarter profit soared 67 percent because of growing demand for its construction and mining equipment, and the company boosted its outlook for the year. Shares jumped $3.63, or 4.5 percent, to $85.06 in premarket trading.
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Baxter raises dividend as $2 billion share buyback approved
Deerfield-based Baxter International Inc., the maker of blood products and intravenous drugs, raised its dividend 34 percent and said it authorized a new share buyback program of as much as $2 billion. A quarterly dividend of 45 cents a share will be payable Oct. 1 to stockholders, the Deerfield, Illinois-based company said in a statement today
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Boeing 2Q net income up; raises outlook
Chicago-based Boeing Co. posted an unexpected 3 percent improvement in second-quarter net income on strong sales of commercial airplanes. The results surprised Wall Street and the company raised its earnings forecast for the year.The results announced before the markets opened Wednesday eased investors' fears of an imminent slowdown in the company's defense unit, which produces Chinook helicopters and F-18s among many other aircraft models.
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Radioshack swaps jump to record after unexpected quarterly loss
The cost to protect against a default by RadioShack Corp. jumped to a record after the electronics retail chain reported an unexpected second-quarter loss.
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ConocoPphillips 2Q profit falls 33 pct
ConocoPhillips said Wednesday that net income fell 33 percent in the second quarter as it shed assets and sold oil and natural gas at lower prices.Its results still beat Wall Street estimates, however, and the company's stock price rose slightly in premarket trading.
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US airways profit triples; fares up, fuel down
US Airways says its second-quarter profit tripled to $306 million as fares rose and fuel prices fell.The airline says the quarterly profit was the biggest in its history.
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Apple drops as results miss estimates on iPhone-sales
Apple Inc. fell after reporting iPhone sales that missed analysts' projections, underscoring the computer maker's reliance on demand for the smartphone.The company sold 26 million iPhones in the fiscal third quarter, shy of the 28.4 million predicted by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. That caused Apple to miss analysts' quarterly sales and profit estimates for the second time since 2003.
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Delta joins us airways beating profit estimates on higher fares
Delta Air Lines Inc. and US Airways Group Inc. beat analysts' second-quarter profit estimates as fare increases helped the carriers reap more revenue from each passenger.Delta's earnings excluding some costs were $586 million, or 69 cents a share, while US Airways said its adjusted profit was $321 million, or $1.61 a share. JetBlue Airways Corp. reported net income of $52 million, or 16 cents a share, matching analysts' estimates.
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Ford profit falls 57 pct to $1 billion in 2Q
Ford's profit fell 57 percent in the second quarter as losses in Europe and Asia swamped a healthy performance in North America. The company also lowered its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday. The automaker said it still expects a "strong" operating profit, but it will be lower than the $8.7 billion in 2011. Previously Ford had expected to make about the same amount as 2011.
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Many drugs remain legal after “bath salts” ban
People are inventing so many new, legal ways to get high that lawmakers can't seem to keep up. Over the past two years, the U.S. has seen a surge in the use of synthetic drugs made of legal chemicals that mimic the dangerous effects of cocaine, amphetamines and other illegal stimulants.
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Record Penn State fine to help abused kids
The NCAA's unprecedented $60 million fine against Penn State will hurt the university in its pocketbook. The silver lining is that it will help plenty of abused kids, and it could even wind up preventing abuse — if it is distributed carefully, child welfare advocates say.
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NY guilty plea scheduled for head of Oregon firm
A person familiar with a criminal securities fraud case against the head of an Oregon investment research firm says he's expected to plead guilty on Wednesday in New York. The person requested anonymity because he's not authorized to speak publicly about the plea. He told The Associated Press on Tuesday that John Kinnucan would enter the plea.
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ECB survey shows demand for loans remains weak
Demand for loans from business and consumers remains weak in Europe in the face of the continent's debt crisis, a closely watched European Central Bank survey showed Wednesday. The anemic demand for credit indicates how the economy is still lagging in the 17 countries that use the euro, even though the ECB has cut interest rates to record lows and carried out a massive infusion of credit into the banking system.
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Senate ready for symbolic showdown on tax cuts
The Senate is bracing for a tax-cut showdown that is all about Democrats and Republicans showing voters their differences over taxing the well-off while accusing each other of threatening to shove the government over a fiscal cliff.
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Romney-Bain contacts outlasted exit
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said he had no active role in Bain Capital, the private equity firm he founded, after he exited in February 1999 to take over Salt Lake City's Winter Olympics bid. But according to Bain associates and others familiar with Romney's actions at the time, he stayed in regular contact with his partners over the following months, tending to his partnership interests and negotiating his separation from the company.
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PepsiCo’s profit falls 21 percent in 2Q
PepsiCo Inc. says its profit fell 21 percent in the second quarter as one-time restructuring costs and a stronger dollar ate into results. The company, whose brands include Frito-Lay, Gatorade and Tropicana, is among the many U.S companies taking a hit as the dollar strengthens.
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Oil near $88 ahead of US inventory figures
Oil was little changed near $88 a barrel Wednesday in Asia ahead of weekly U.S. crude inventory figures that give a reading on the state of near-term demand for fuel.Benchmark crude for September delivery was down 31 cents at $88.14 a barrel at midafternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 36 cents to end Tuesday at $88.50 per barrel in New York.
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Toyota sold 4.97 million vehicles in first half
Toyota sold 4.97 million vehicles globally in the first six months of this year, a strong result that could see the Japanese automaker regain its crown as the world's top automaker from General Motors Co.The number, released Wednesday, underlines Toyota Motor Corp.'s powerful rebound from a period of dismal sales, and the resilience of its brand as it gains traction in new markets such as China and Southeast Asia while clawing back lost market share in the U.S.
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Markets recoup ground but European fears remain
Financial markets recovered their poise Wednesday but a run of disappointing economic data in Europe and worse-than-expected earnings from Apple kept the recovery in check.Markets have been recently rattled by fears that Spain, the eurozone's fourth-largest economy, will need a bailout along the lines of Greece, Ireland and Portugal.
Life & Entertainment
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Weekend picks: Rosemont Zanies hosts 'League' comedian
If you've enjoyed comedian Steve Rannazzisi in FX's “The League” or MTV's “Punk'd,” then don't miss his weekend performances at Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont. Check out several DeLoreans at the midnight Friday showing of “Back to the Future” at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove. Celebrate the late, great Cubs third baseman at Ron Santo Night at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles Saturday.
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Katherine Jackson apparently back home
Katherine Jackson is apparently back home, reuniting with Michael Jackson's children after a judge temporarily took away her guardianship because of her days-long absence from them. Paris Jackson tweeted early Thursday morning: "grandma's here! #thankyougod."
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Chicago Flower & Garden Show comes to Lake County Fair
Some of the lushest landscapes in a parched Lake County have been assembled piece by piece and are on display through Sunday as part of Chicago Flower & Garden Show at the Lake County Fair in Grayslake. “It's an opportunity to take an 84-year-old event and keep it relevant and current,” said Tony Abruscato, owner of Flower Show Productions, which every spring presents its signature indoor show at Navy Pier.
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Model home shows off its green side
Not long ago, the house of the future was designed to let you to stay plugged in to your music, sports and movies no matter where you were. But that was before the recession. Now, the new house of the future is being marketed with a decidedly more practical goal in mind: to save you big bucks in energy and water consumption.
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Best bet to raising kids? Don’t be a helicopter parent
A "helicopter" parent doesn't allow their kid to grow up and spread their wings. Carolyn Hax says let your children do more things on their own.
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The Suburbs This Weekend: Irish fest, Zombie veterans, dragon boats and the RUB
Dragon boats, Zombies, and Irish festival and a new restaurnt are among items featured in this weeks's the Suburbs This Weekend.
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Native Americans have mixed feelings on new Tonto
To most people, the upcoming "Lone Ranger" movie is just a Disney blockbuster featuring action, adventure and Johnny Depp looking over-the-top. But to Native Americans, it's personal.
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Filmmakers often use terror to jar movies within movies
There's something about the dark and quiet of a movie theater that allows us to make ourselves vulnerable. We enter into an implicit pact, giving over to the images, letting ourselves laugh at something silly or cry at something poignant, all in the cloistered company of strangers. That's why when something unexpected interrupts that experience, it's that much more startling, like being awakened suddenly from a vivid dream.
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Fresh strawberries add zing to old-fashioned pound cake
Today we see all kinds of blends and flavors of pound cakes, but an old-fashioned, buttery pound cake never goes out of style and is worth keeping in the recipe box. This cake still feeds bunches — 20 servings, in fact. So it would be perfect for a summer cookout, picnic or family reunion.
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Osbourne tweets she’s leaving ‘America’s Got Talent’
Sharon Osbourne said Tuesday that she's ready to say goodbye to NBC's "America's Got Talent," taking the network by surprise. In a posting on Twitter, Osbourne addressed "my darling" fellow judge Howard Stern and said, "money is not the reason I'm not returning" to the show. Her tweet trailed off with "it's because ...." and didn't elaborate.
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Feud continues to roil Michael Jackson’s family
Turmoil in Michael Jackson's family continued Tuesday as a family feud that has engulfed the singer's mother and children continued to play out in online posts, on national television and in a videotaped driveway confrontation that authorities continue to investigate. It should perhaps be no surprise that a family that has spent decades in the spotlight is airing its troubles in public, but the dispute has left many, including estate executors, worried.
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Frugal living: Using up taco meat
Taco recipes often call for one pound of ground beef. You can use leftover taco meat in almost any dish that has ground beef, such as taco salad, soup, casserole, chili, nachos, lettuce wraps, spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, empanadas or omelets, or serve over French fries or baked potatoes.
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Night life events: RA Sushi shakes up five new drinks
An updated drink menu at RA Sushi now features five new drinks. Try the Strawberry Saketini made with Svedka Citron, Nigori Sake, strawberry purée and lemon juice for $9 or the Coconut Moshi Mojito made with Cruzan Estate light rum muddled with fresh lime, sugar, soda, fresh mint and coconut flavor for $8.
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Passion Pit hits the right notes on new CD
From their achingly hip EP "Chunk of Change" to their 2010 follow-up "Manners," anticipation has been turbocharged for another pitch-perfect, electro-pop album from Passion Pit. And their latest, "Gossamer," hits all the right notes.
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Chilled avocado soup shows its versatility
Tomatillos, with their citrus and herbal flavor, are the key to this refreshing chilled avocado soup. This recipe also can be used to dress salad greens, or as a dip for veggies and chips.
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Algonquin’s where it’s @ for fine Thai
Lovers of Thai curries and Japanese sushi don't have to go to separate restaurants to enjoy both Asian specialties if they know about @Bangkok Thai & Sushi. This strip-mall spot in Algonquin excels on all levels: food, service and ambience. The menu has a serious sushi section, along with a Thai section of the classics, such as Thai spring rolls, chicken satay, tom yum soup, pad thai and several curries.
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Minted Strawberries
Minted Strawberries:Kitchen Scoop
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Old-Fashioned Butter Pound Cake
Old Fashioned Poundcake: Kitchen Scoop
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‘Sleeping Beauty’ gets colorful adaptation at Marriott
"Sleeping Beauty" gets a rather colorful modern-day remake in a new children's production opening Saturday at Lincolnshire's Marriott Theatre. Changes include everything from the classic tale's themes to the names of the characters, said director/choreographer Matt Raftery.
Discuss
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Editorial: Penn State and the responsibility gap
Amid the furor over the effect of NCAA sanctions, Penn State must remember its responsibilities to the sex abuse victims, Daily Herald editorial says.
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Did the state make you great?
Columnist Charles Krauthammer: Obama compounds the fallacy by declaring the state to be the font of entrepreneurial success. How so? It created the infrastructure — roads, bridges, schools, Internet — off which we all thrive. Absurd.
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No logic in claims about conceal carry
A Deer Park letter to the editor: If conceal carry laws lead to violence, why do the remaining 49 states who have conceal carry have so few gun death problems compared to, let's see, Chicago?
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Romney’s success is an asset
A Lincolnshire letter to the editor: I was confused by Eugene Robinson's article, "Amassing wealth is legal, but is it good for politics?"
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Lombard remap was self-serving
An Elmhurst letter to the editor: In response to "Lombard trustees keep districts in remap," July 14, the facts lead to the conclusion that incumbency protection was the number one priority.
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All views are needed on gay couples
An Arlington Heights letter to the editor: I believe the Herald served its readership well to look past the narrow scope of people like Ms. Biggerstaff, who refer to this couple derogatorily as "these two men."
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Follow science, Bible on homosexuality
An Arlington Heights letter to the editor: No court decisions, and no wave of anti-Christianism, will convince me ignoring 2,000-plus years of wisdom is anything less than absurd.
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Hard to fathom immigration policy
A Bloomingdale letter to the editor: America's past and present immigration policies seem to be based more on politics than practicality. Many of us senior citizens remember the prelude to World War II when European Jewry was becoming alarmed at the Nazi regime's extreme vocal policies against their Jewish minority.
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UN stance on global warming disturbing
A Pingree Grove letter to the editor: Eugene Robinson's column on July 4 has the potential to mislead readers. Robinson believes in anthropogenic global warming (AGW) or that carbon emissions cause climate change. As I stated in a recent Fencepost letter, our sun plays a major role in climate change, in spite of deceptive data to the contrary from the United Nations Panel on Climate Change. In fact, a number of people and groups associated with the UN are responsible for advancing this position on global warming.
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Keep tighter leash on letter writers
An Elgin letter to the editor: I am writing to suggest that letters to the editor be held to higher standards than currently seems to be the case. The two standards are civility and factual accuracy.
Jul 2012
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