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Moving Picture: Conservation guru promotes land stewardship May 24, 2013 12:00 AM
Jim Kleinwachter is one of those at McDonald Farm in Naperville who teaches programs designed to reinforce the foundation's mission to preserve open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds and promote stewardship of the environment. "I was volunteering for the Conservation Foundation and eventually had an opportunity to take a staff position," Kleinwachter said, "and now I get to do what I love to do and it's my job."
Sibling rivalry propels young Palatine filmmakers May 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Two young filmmakers from Palatine are making a name for themselves in the visual arts world and racking up some incredible experiences along the way. Richard, an eighth-grader, is the graphic artist, and Ben, a high school sophomore, is the writer and director. "I'm really proud of Richard, but there's boiling hatred there, too," Ben, 16, jokes. "We both operate in the visual arts, but luckily in very different areas."
District 203 teachers getting pay bump May 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Teachers in Naperville Unit District 203 will receive average raises totaling 10.2 percent over the next three years, although the cost to taxpayers to fund those increases will rise only about 6 percent over that same period, officials said Thursday. Both the District 203 school board and the teachers union have approved the new three-year pact, but refused to release copies of the contract until all parties have signed it.
Naperville mayor tears toilet paper to open new restrooms May 23, 2013 12:00 AM
It's not often Naperville officials hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new washroom. But when they do, it's a 3-ply affair. Mayor George Pradel and several city and park district leaders attended a “potty party” Thursday in Central Park to celebrate the opening of a new public restroom on the west side of the downtown site. The park regularly plays host to concerts by the Naperville Municipal Band and other events.
Glenbard students view mock DUI crash May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Members of the Carol Stream police and fire protection districts staged a mock DUI crash scene Wednesday at Glenbard North High School to raise student awareness of alcohol use, particularly during prom season.
Bloomingdale restaurateur honored for his music and good deedsMay 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Tony Spavone, owner of Tony Spavone's Ristorante in Bloomingdale, is known for entertaining customers with his singing talents and using them to raise money for chairtable causes. Now his gift of song and generosity have been recognized with an Ellis Island Medal of Honor award in the categories of humanitarian and performing arts.
Eve from 'Days' still a tough girl from suburbsMay 21, 2013 12:00 AM
On television, Winnetka native Charlotte Ross is often cast as an aggressive, and, shall we say, not-so-nice woman. She's no pushover in her latest role, either, as Olivia Vincent, the shrewd dance squad director on "Hit the Floor." The sexy new series debuts May 27 on VH1. "I gravitate to strong women roles," said Ross, 45. "I've played many variations of Eve Donovan.
Gender pay gap starts right away for college grads May 19, 2013 12:00 AM
As college seniors enter the workforce, some are frustrated by one factor that still enters the salary equation -- gender. According to the American Association of University Women, a gender pay gap not only exists, but it develops right away. Women working full time one year after graduation are paid an average of 18 percent less than men also working full time one year later. “We were really trying to get at a group that was as close to the same as possible right out of college," said Christianne Corbett of the AAUW. "And we still found a gap.”
Cary businessman turned war's terrors into art May 19, 2013 12:00 AM
Cary businessman Mike Duffy studied art after he came home from the war in Vietnam. Duffy's paintings will be part of a new exhibit at the National Veterans Art Museum on Chicago's Northwest Side. "I figured I'd be dead by morning," he says of the intense gunfire that greeted his arrival in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive.
Cool air averted flood-borne mosquito swarm May 17, 2013 12:00 AM
First the bad news. Mosquitoes hatched by last month's flooding in the Northwest and West suburbs should be reaching adulthood and beginning to bite this weekend. But the good news is that the cool temperatures, strong winds and below-average rainfall that followed the heavy storm of April 17 and 18 counteracted the potentially ideal conditions this spring brood might have enjoyed.
Carpentersville boy beats obstacles to win award May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
When teacher Kelly Uehlein nominated fifth-grade student Eduardo Lopez Soriano for a national reading award, she purposefully omitted the fact that he has a genetic condition called ectodermal dysplasia that inhibits his ability to speak. "I wanted him to be considered and recognized because of who he is, and his achievement," said Uehlein, who teaches bilingual fifth grade at Lakewood School in Carpentersville.
Palatine girl with leukemia gets bedroom makeover May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Kennedy Khalimsky's bedroom hasn't always brought her comfort. That's been the case since February 2012, at least, when the 6-year-old from Palatine was diagnosed with leukemia. Volunteers with Special Spaces hope that will change after transforming the room into a Victorian-era princess retreat. "Never, ever, could I have done that for her," her mother said.
Schaumburg Boomers start in style, get the victoryMay 16, 2013 12:00 AM
The host Schaumburg Boomers scored 3 runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal a win in their season opener, a 6-2 victory over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Thursday night. The Boomers never trailed, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Gerard Hall, who recorded the first hit and run in franchise history in last season's opener, collected the first hit and run of 2013 when he led off with a double in the first.
Former Maine West coach charged in hazing; juvenile charges droppedMay 15, 2013 12:00 AM
After a five-month investigation of hazing at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, the Cook County state's attorney's office Wednesday charged former Maine West High School head varsity soccer coach Michael Divincenzo while dropping charges against six juveniles. "He allowed these things to happen and encouraged it," Anita Alvarez said.
Secretary of Education to U-46: How can we help? May 15, 2013 12:00 AM
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan connected with a former colleague in the suburbs to take stock of how the federal agency could do its job better. Duncan, who worked with Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres when the two were administrators at Chicago Public Schools, took a tour of Streamwood High School. "There is lots to be proud of here," Duncan said.
Illini Caravan visits suburbs, Daily Herald subscribers May 15, 2013 12:00 AM
University of Illinois men's basketball coach John Groce, women's basketball coach Matt Bollant, men's gymnastics coach Justin Spring and women's soccer coach Janet Rayfield stopped in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday to meet with fans and Daily Herald subscribers. They're taking part in the annual Illini Caravan.
Appeals for public information spike 22 percentMay 15, 2013 12:00 AM
Illinois residents have the benefit of new laws aimed at opening up more government records — and when they don't get the information they want, they're raising a stink about it. Appeals to the Illinois attorney general's office for denied Freedom of Information Act requests jumped 22 percent last year. Most of those came from members of the public.
Educators on virtual charter schools: Hold off a year May 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Aurora Rep. Linda Chapa La Via proposed a one-year moratorium on new virtual charter schools that would halt review of a proposed school aiming to offer online education to students in 18 school districts from Algonquin to Plainfield. "What we'd like to do is slow the process down," Chapa La Via said. "It's gone too fast." Third of a three-part Daily Herald series.
Suburban man the standby star of 'Book of Mormon' May 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Eight times a week, Rob Colletti goes down to the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, warms up his vocals, sits in the dressing room while the hit musical "The Book of Mormon" is performed, and then goes home. Colletti, a Wheaton native, is the standby for the lead role of the nerdy but lovable Elder Cunningham. And, "it's been incredible," he said.
Second career a serendipitous fit for Geneva art teacher May 13, 2013 12:00 AM
Being a teacher wasn't Al Ochsner's initial career choice. He followed a dream, making a living as a professional artist. But in middle age, the single father of two needed some extra income and took a gig as a substitute teacher at Geneva High School. He fell in love with teaching. Now, at age 52, he is doing it full-time. "This is a job I look forward to coming to," he said. "This is a really cool place."