Naqvi bids farewell to suburbs

I recently visited Cesar Vega, also known as Inca de la Vega, at his home in Del Webb’s Sun City, Huntley.

Vega is an artist who works in a variety of mediums, including sculpting, painting and drawing. Most notably, Vega works with toothpicks.

Vega uses toothpicks, and other odds and ends he finds around the house, to create elaborate replicas of antique cars, carriages and monuments.

When I wrote about Vega in February, he was working on a 55-inch replica of the Eiffel Tower. He’s since completed it.

The Eiffel Tower and other works by Vega, including an originally designed carriage, an antique railcar and an antique taxi cab, are on display this month at the Sun City clubhouse in Huntley.

I’m also happy to report that Vega’s wife, Gladys, is doing better after receiving treatment for a work-related injury.

Vega, who was working the night shift at Walmart to help pay his wife’s medical bills, has since parted ways with the retailer — enabling him to work on his art full-time.

Register for preschool: In January, I wrote about Primrose Schools, a nationwide chain of preschools that is planning to open several franchises in the suburbs.Kurt and Laura Daniel are opening two of the first three Primrose Schools in South Elgin and Algonquin. Laura contacted me this week to say the South Elgin location has opened at 450 Briargate Drive.To find out more about the school#146;s learning model, tuition and registration, call Laura at (847) 468-1630 or email her at ldaniel@primrosesouthelgin.com.Thanks for the memories: Today is my last day at the Daily Herald.From covering a teachers#146; strike to reviewing Itzhak Perlman, my job has allowed me to meet a lot of interesting people.Some aspects of the job #8212; reporting on shootings, fires and failed businesses #8212; were sobering.Others, like writing about alternative energy, passionate teachers and precocious teenagers, gave me hope for the future.Thank you to all the people who allowed me to enter their world and share their experiences with my readers.Thanks especially to the people who graciously provided the expertise that allowed me to make sense of the complex relationships between local government, schools and state and federal government.Most of all, thanks to my readers for caring enough to stay informed about their communities and pick up the Friday Daily Herald for my occasional insights.I hope they were of some use.