Articles filed under Constable, Burt

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Goofy brothers get serious about fighting cancerFeb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Brothers Tom and Bill Latourette have been competitive since they were kids. So when the suburban dads took to the golf course to raise a few bucks for a friend with cancer, they vowed to raise more the next year. A dozen years and nearly $400,000 later, they're pushing to raise more through the wackiest fundraiser ever.
Sure of wife choice, guys still fret about engagement ring Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
When superstar performing artist Justin Timberlake asked actress Jessica Biel to be his wife, he presented her with a custom-made diamond engagement ring he designed himself. Biel gushed to celebrity magazines about Timberlake's artistic flair with jewelry. Most men are not Justin Timberlake. “A lot of times it's hard for a guy to just walk into a jewelry store. He's very nervous about getting the wrong ring,” says Wyatt Austin Jewelers owner Candice Milstein.
Suburbs rise, join billion dancing women to change world Feb 5, 2013 12:00 AM
On the most romantic day of the year, groups around the suburbs will rise up, speak out and dance as part of a worldwide effort to end violence against women. Says 71-year-old Mary Shesgreen, one of the organizers and a longtime member of Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice: "Dancing feels wonderful. It feels liberating. It feels empowering. It's aesthetically expressive. Dance is a very strong and liberating force."
Hawthorn Woods man preserving historyFeb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Jim Dryden was a boy when he received a Japanese sword his uncle brought back from World War II. Now nearing retirement, the Hawthorn Woods man has ammassed a collection or more than 100,000 war items and hopes to open a museum. “It's a hobby,” observes the reserved Dryden, who lives in Hawthorn Woods and makes his living as a financial services consultant and partner in collection agencies.
Mom 86s fear of our family's fatal birthday curse Jan 31, 2013 12:00 AM
Mom, my sisters and I knew we really couldn't believe in our family curse, even with the overwhelming mountain of evidence supporting it, columnist Burt Constable writes. In the year leading up to Mom's 86th birthday on Jan. 28, the curse crept into our conversations. When we would talk about plans for 2013 and beyond, Mom would beg off. “Well,” she would say, “let's just wait and see.”
Elk Grove teen’s idea blossoms into pizza for 488,000 troops Jan 27, 2013 12:00 AM
In 2008, retired Air Force Sgt. Mark Evans of Elk Grove Village wanted to ship pizzas to the soldiers fighting in the Middle East. An effort that started with a goal of 300 pizzas has shipped more than 122,000 pizzas to troops overseas."God has made me a pizza delivery man," Evans says.
Local students win money for duck calls, aluminumJan 24, 2013 12:00 AM
High-schoolers (or at least their parents) constantly are on the prowl for college scholarships. Most involve lots of writing and little money. But to win a scholarship from a trade organization in Wauconda, all you have to do is is come up with a good aluminum extrusion design.
Local wildlife refuge grows from grass-roots passionJan 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The giddy celebration for local folks came earlier this month on a warm, sun-kissed day at the nation’s first wildlife refuge on Florida’s Pelican Island. Adding a plank reading “Hackmatack” to the boardwalk, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar officially commemorated our nation’s newest and 561st wildlife refuge, which spans parts of McHenry County and southern Wisconsin.
Wimpy winter teaches Plainfield teens cold facts of businessJan 20, 2013 12:00 AM
The Blizzard of 2011 financed everything from an iPad and expensive new baseball equipment to shovels and a snowblower for two pals who launched their Shovel Boys business that year. Now grizzled teens, the Shovel Boys are trying to survive a nearly snowless winter. “What can we do?” Nick Pardo says. “I mean we can't make it snow.”
Tie that binds Lincoln, Marx, Sinatra and Magilla Gorilla Jan 17, 2013 12:00 AM
The one fashion accessory that President Obama seems certain to sport at Monday's inauguration ball is the same one that Abraham Lincoln, lots of other presidents and even some suburban characters have favored: the bow tie.
Trauma therapy dogs help suburban teens with test angst Jan 15, 2013 12:00 AM
In the days after the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Conn., a group of seven golden retrievers and their handlers from the suburbs went to the community of Sandy Hook Elementary School to let the traumatized kids and parents spend some spirit-rejuvenating time with dogs. Now, the power of these highly trained dogs is taking on another anxiety-inducing suburban phenomenon — high school finals testing.
Bartlett native's cancer motivates her life, her work Jan 13, 2013 12:00 AM
As a teenager who watched both her parents die of cancer, Bartlett native Colleen McGrath managed to defeat the pancreatic cancer that hit her at age 13. Now 27 and dedicating her life to helping other kids cope with cancer, McGrath is once again battling her old nemesis after being diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.
Reality of lengthy prison terms robs crimes of romance Jan 10, 2013 12:00 AM
We often get sucked into the romance of criminals who rob banks, escape from prison or otherwise capture the public imagination. But, as the case of suburban bank robber and escape artist Robert Maday proves, these crooks do nothing that merits admiration. “We are a society that is fascinated by crime and by people who commit crimes,” says Kirk Miller, chair of the sociology department at Northern Illinois University and an associate professor.
Society leads on gay-rights issues while 'leaders' dawdle Jan 8, 2013 12:00 AM
The movie "Lincoln" shows how Abraham Lincoln took it upon himself to lead a wary nation and hesitant legislators in passing the civil rights legislation that outlawed slavery. That leadership is nowhere to be found when it comes to gay marriage.
History offers fresh perspective on Notre Dame vs. 'Bama Jan 6, 2013 12:00 AM
When Notre Dame plays Monday night in the national championship game against Alabama, the cheering interests of suburban fans will revolve around Notre Dame and the hate and love that school inspires. Burt Constable talks to some of its fans and looks at some of the reasons to love Notre Dame. "I got all my injections of Notre Dame loyalty" attending a Catholic grade school in Chicago, said Al Larson, the mayor of Schaumburg and a lifelong Notre Dame fan.
Daily Herald's holiday toy drive amazes benefactorDec 27, 2012 12:00 AM
Walt Meder's fantasy raised more than $30,000 and made the holidays so much brighter at WINGS, the Palatine-based not-for-profit agency that provides help for homeless and abused women and children. "Holy mackerel!" the Arlington Heights man said. "Geez. That's great. Most people, if you give them a chance, they are pretty good."
With help of charity, homeless family finds 'the road home' Dec 25, 2012 12:00 AM
Last Christmas, this homeless mother and her oldest kids cried as the younger children opened a few presents in the car where they all were forced to live for weeks. Thanks to the help provided by Journeys, the Palatine-based charity for people in need, the family lives in a three-bedroom apartment, the mom has a full-time job that is going well and they all have a Christmas tree.
Parents struggle to control Buffalo Grove 12-year-old’s violence Dec 23, 2012 12:00 AM
A Buffalo Grove mother wonders if the public really understands the challenges for the family in dealing with mental health issues. She has a son, 12, who is smart but can be violent. Her son is making progress, but she wishes more help was available from the state in dealing with the challenges. "I don't know why," the boy says of the violent threats he sometimes makes.
Looking for Revelation as world ends? This guy nails it Dec 20, 2012 12:00 AM
At some point on 12/21/12 as you are cursing the Mayans and observing the end of the world with looting, pillaging or soft weeping, you might want to take a break and listen to Lombard native Tom Meyer recite the entire biblical book of Revelation by memory. “Dude, it is so hard for me to memorize. It takes a month for each chapter,” says Meyer, 36, who has memorized all 22 chapters.
Why aren't guns regulated as much as driving?Dec 18, 2012 12:00 AM
Before driving to the funerals of their children gunned down in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Connecticut, those grieving parents must adhere to a long list of rules set by our government and the auto industry. All drivers must pass periodic driving and vision tests, prove they have liability insurance, obey speed limits and wear seat belts. Our government and weapon manufacturers haven't shown such commitment with guns