Julia Jostes, a resident of The Meadows of Glen Ellyn, enjoyed a special social hour in honor of her 100th birthday. Above, Julia Jostes receives a pair of blue jeans, the first pair she has ever had. “Wow, she gets her first pair of jeans at 100,” said her granddaughter Janet Kodatt of Chicago. “She always dressed either in suits, or business casual, her whole life.” The jeans were fitting for Julia, of Italian heritage, who during her celebration accidentally spilled wine on her freshly, pressed white pants. “At family gatherings when wine was spilled, it meant good luck for the coming year, so I guess I will have a good year” said Jostes. “Maybe it means she’ll live another 100 years,” said her daughter Julie Weydeman, of Justice.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Police officers from Lombard, Villa Park, and West Chicago and several other towns were involved in a program to install signs in locations such as the Lombard train station to raise awareness of suicide and trains.

Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer

Charley Morrison, 6, of Tigers Pack 468 of Arlington Heights celebrates a victory at the Pinewood Derby at Ivy Hill School in Arlington Heights on Friday.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Dave Rank of Grayslake enjoys the Junior National Championship Qualifer at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Charis Franks of the Norge Ski club launches herself during the Junior National Championship Qualifer at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Mundelein High School performs during the Hip Hop category of the TEAMDance Illinois Lake Zurich Regional Contest Sunday at Lake Zurich High School.

Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Jordan Maijala plays the lead role of Judy in the VPAA Dance Adademy adaptation of “JUMANJI” at Larkin High School.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

5-year-old Matylda Wrzala of Libertyville works on a Lego creation during a program called Lego Adventures at Aspen Drive Library Tuesday in Vernon Hills.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Bloomingdale Fire Chief David Christensen, left, retires from his post after more than 30 years with the department. Deputy Chief Michael McNamara, right, will be sworn in as the new chief Thursday.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Bloomingdale Fire Chief David Christensen, center, is saluted by the firefighters as he leaves the station for the last time. He was presented with a Bloomingdale Fire Department flag, signed by all the members of the department, during the ceremony. He is retiring from his post after more than 30 years with the department.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Junior Cori Eischen, left, celebrates after getting fastest time so far at 1.4 seconds after being quicker than fellow junior Beth Bartels, during seat belt races sponsored by the Dundee-Crown Safe Driving Initiative.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

This bud on a bush in Lake Villa has opened. The down side of the unseasonably warm winter is that flower bulbs and tree buds that open early are now dependent on avoiding another cold snap in order to avoid damage.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

A colorful garden plant popping up on February 2nd near a condominium on Rand Road in Mt. Prospect is one of the downsides to early warm weather for gardeners.

George Leclaire | Staff Photographer

Si ZhiQiang of Bei Dou Kung Fu, based in Hanover Park and Naperville, flips as he performs Thursday at Buffalo Grove High School in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Gracie Gold, 16, trains at Center Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. She is from Springfield, but trains and lives in the Chicago area 5 days a week. She recently won the gold medal in juniors at the National Figure Skating Championship and she will be competing at the Junior World event in Belarus at the end of February.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Animal handler Mark Szafarn of Chicago brings Woodstock Willie out from the stump to make a seasonal prognostication at the annual Groundhog Day extravaganza in the Woodstock Square on Thursday morning, February 2.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Meri Mackey of Grayslake works out with 10-month-old son Tommy during a program called Stroller Strides at the Libertyville Sports Complex Thursday. The class meets on Mondays and Thursdays at the Sports Complex and Monday, Wednesday, Friday at Westfield Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer