Copies of Veterans Day radio show are available

I really enjoyed last Sunday's Veterans Day ceremony in Elgin.

I counted more than 100 people there, including city officials, veterans and their families.

There were veterans of all ages. I saw many from World War II, some from Korea and one more from the Persian Gulf War.

And I got a kick out of seeing Art Richoz and other World War II vets posing for photos with ceremonial shovels during the groundbreaking of the new veterans memorial park, which will sit just behind the Gail Borden Library.

At home, I called my father to wish him a happy Veterans Day and silently wished one to my late grandfather, who served in Korea.

Because I had to work on Veterans Day, I pretty much missed the other big event in Elgin-- the five-hour "Tribute to the Troops" show that was airing on WRMN radio 1410-AM.

I listened to all that I could between assignments in my car.

I heard Elgin state Sen. Michael Noland mention that he was passed over for a job because he told his would-be supervisor about his military obligations.

And I heard the tail end of George Rawlinson's interview with Allen Lynch, a Vietnam veteran and one of 109 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Rawlinson, owner of State Street Publishing, was the show's organizer and co-sponsor. He's now putting together quarterly shows and the first one, airing in March, will focus on the local arts community.

You'll hear familiar voices on those shows, because Elgin personality Jeff Myers and local historian John Prigge will return to co-anchor them. They're the same guys who hosted "Remembering Elgin" and "Tribute to the Troops."

If you're like me and you missed the five-hour marathon on Veterans Day, you can call the radio station (at 847) 741-7700 to get a copy of the show.

Turning 32 in style: As you know, I'm always a fan of good eats and conversation.

Sounds like both elements will be in full force during the Community Crisis Center's celebration of 32 years of service.

Its anniversary dinner will honor the institution's work, staff and board members at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Seville in Streamwood. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m.

Dan and Karen Fox will receive the Seigle Family Humanitarian Award.

The winners of the Heart of the Center Volunteer Award are: Councilman Mike Powers; the City of Elgin restitution program; the Mormon elders; WideSpark, Rick Moser; and Steve Westlund.

The Wanda Lingle Employee Award winner will be a surprise, though.

As an added bonus that evening, the crisis center also will unveil its new logo.

To reserve your seat at the table, call (847) 697-2380. Reservations cost $60 apiece.

A good site: Been on the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's Web site lately?

You should know that it happens to be an award-winning one.

I'm told that Paper Tower, the company behind the site's redesign, won the silver award in the W3 competition. W3 is a group that recognizes "the power of Web creativity," according to its site.

Paper Tower is listed on there with other winners such as AARP, cnnmoney.com and the Disney Channel. W3 also recognized Web sites from around the globe.

Brock Henderson, the company's owner, tells me this is the third honor the site has received this year. It also was included on Adobe's site as the "site of the day" and was site of the month for amfphp, a web technology company.

"EYSO has one of the finest youth symphony orchestras in the nation and they now have the finest youth symphony Web site in the country," Henderson said via e-mail.

You can check out that award-winning site by visiting www.eyso.org.