Some familiar faces in new places

I had a chance to talk to two people who recently have moved into high-profile jobs in Elgin.

Tonya Hudson

Moving from her four-year professional career, after getting her degree and doing an internship at Judson University, Tonya has taken the executive director's position at the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

She sees herself in learning mode these months. She estimates she has met 25 percent of the businesspeople she serves.

These face-to-face meetings generally have been positive. After venting about some of the construction woes this summer, most agree the major infrastructure work will lead to the health of the city -- and the beautification of the downtown. All agree the information from the city and contractors has improved, she says.

Tonya has set a long-term goal for the association to become financially secure. She's grateful for the grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation. By strengthening the cash flow of the organization, she can offer more projects and services to the neighborhood.

Another long-term goal is wrapping the residents into the fold with special programs and events.

"Welcome to the Neighborhood" for all Elginites is the mantra. Come and enjoy your downtown! You can reach Tonya with thoughts, ideas, or comments at (847) 488-1456.

Johnny Placeres

This 30-year resident of Elgin was employed at Mid-America Bank in mortgage lending. He now has assumed the leadership of Neighborhood Housing Services of the Fox Valley.

Johnny last month was presented to the local advisory steering committee. That committee consists of Councilman Dave Kaptain, John Roberson, Tom Krebsbach, Ruth Ann Hall, Jackie Britain, Denise Haunt, Carl Pieta and Gretchen Vapner.

The office this month is moving to 163 E. Chicago St. and will be open for business on Dec. 17.

Johnny's short-term goals include reconnecting with the community, city council and home-buying public.

With so many families facing mortgage challenges, he sees his role as offering counseling before and after a purchase.

NHS's Homeowners Preservation Initiative reaches out to those having problems. Several steps, including loan modifications on rates and moving overdue months to the end of the mortgage, can make all the difference in keeping a family in their home.

First Time Homebuyers classes will start again. The six-week classes begin in English from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and in Spanish on Jan. 15. Call (800) 660-1995 to register for the classes.

Johnny can be reached at jplaceres@nhschicago.org.

Teen gift

Do you have a teenager on your gift list and no idea what to buy?

Here's an idea you know will fit and won't be the wrong style! These three Elgin Community College classes are sure to catch a teen's interest.

• Two MySpace classes, with 18-year-old instructor Nathan Murfree, will help your teen create or upgrade a MySpace page. The first class is for beginners who will create not only their page, but also the HTML security code to protect themselves. The second class will assist participants in upgrading their space from "basic to amazing," while keeping the critical security intact.

• If your teen has artistic abilities, they might like the Comic Book Creation class that runs Saturday afternoon.

During the weeks of the class, each participant will write and draw their own five-page comic book, which will be printed and presented to a college audience at the end.

• "The Calm and the Storm" is a computer game that teaches the history of World War II by working through options as the war progressed. Only 12 participants may enroll and each chooses a country. They then work through the war, making choices of actions, and seeing the consequences of those choices. They then will learn the actual decisions that were made and the consequences that really occurred. The 12-hour course trains future leaders about looking at options, making choices and seeing consequences.

ECC is the only place in the Midwest where this game, made by Muzzy Lane, is available.

Visit www.elgin.edu/noncredit to review these and other choices. Registration can be made until Dec. 21 at (847) 622-3036.

For content questions, call Heidi Brelsford at (847) 214-7471.

Short takes

From Thursday to Dec. 23, the Janus Theatre will present an irreverent, satirical revue for your holiday pleasure. The one-hour show will roll different kinds of material into a funny and timely show. Music, poetry and short sketches will keep the tempo moving.

An opening reception will be held in the green room after the Friday night performance.

Show times are Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor. Gift certificates for this and other Janus productions are available.

Tickets can be reserved at (847) 931-0637.

• Now that there is snow on the ground, the beautiful outdoor decorations on homes really glow. The Daily Herald wants to showcase some of the best displays.

Please nominate yourself or a home you admire by sending an e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com by Wednesday.

Please give your name and phone number (they will not be used) and the street address and town of the home. A detailed description of the display, including any special features like animation, audio, synchronization, etc., will be helpful.

The most prominent will be published in the Neighbor section of this paper on Dec. 21. Call Bob Musinski at (847) 931-5720 for details.