St. Charles grad leads students at L.A. university
If you called Julia Roberts a lifelong politician, you'd be at least partially correct.
Roberts, a 2007 St. Charles North graduate, has been involved in student government since she had her first chance to do so in fifth grade.
Her mother, Ellen Roberts, has watched Julia's transformation from grade school to what she now describes as "a pretty big deal" in her new role at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif.
"She has been on her school's student council since she has been in fifth grade at Wild Rose School, and then continued at Thompson Junior High," Ellen said. "And then again, at St. Charles North, until her senior year when she became president of the Illinois Association of Student Council's North Central District."
And things did not slow down for Julia during her first three years at Loyola Marymount, where she served as an elected senator on the student council.
Last month, Julia reached what would be her crowning achievement in student government when she was elected and sworn in as president of the student body.
Julia emphasized in her inauguration that her coming year as a student body president would be marked by the involvement and input of all of the students at the college.
"I think that message was well-received," Julia said. "I have been called idealistic and realistic at the same time, which is really a good way to go into this."
Julia, a psychology and political science major, has aspirations to do post-grad service in Africa, but for now she has a full plate.
"I am in meetings all of the time," Julia said. "I meet with my Cabinet once a week and then with committee heads and my advisers.
"It's a big time commitment, but if I'm not busy, I'm not productive," she said. "So I'm really excited about this."
Cops vs. Bambi: Batavia Park District employees came to work last Wednesday morning to find some unexpected visitors - three baby deer sitting in front of the building.
Knowing rush hour traffic was taking hold and it would be dangerous to have young deer prancing around the downtown area, Batavia police decided to try to "chase" the deer on foot north up Route 31 toward the forest preserve and river.
Traffic had to be stopped along Route 31, so plenty of commuters noticed the three cops chasing the Bambis.
One park district employee with a good sense of humor said that even though traffic was stopped for a short time, "The police chase was for a very 'deer' reason."
Positive steps for PJ: It was great to get news last week about the positive progress for PJ Lukac of St. Charles, who was mentioned in this column last year because of the cruel irony of being diagnosed with a brain tumor at the same time he was a medical student at Columbia University Medical School studying about brain functions and diseases.
Family and friends rallied around Lukac, a 2003 graduate of Burlington Central High School, by participating in the annual American Brain Tumor Association Path to Progress 5K Run/Walk at Soldier Field - and they did it again yesterday in this year's event with new enthusiasm because PJ is doing well and all of his medical tests have been clear.
Sheryl Cash, communications manager of the American Brain Tumor Association, reported that Lukac is back at the college studying medicine, and his 5K team, called Team PEEJ, was once again a top fundraising group in the event.
Happy with move: The smiling face of Judy Treend could be considered one of the "sights" along the bike path on the east bank of the Fox River in Batavia.
On a nice day, you're likely to see Judy sitting in front of her Eclectibles vintage home and garden décor shop that faces the bike path.
The smile is at least partly because of her decision to move last year from North Aurora, where Eclectibles was located for six years, to the spot at 3 Webster Ave. in Batavia next to Andres' restaurant.
"I am really happy with the move," said Treend, who recently retired from 10 years of work in the communications office at Fermilab. "This is just a beautiful space and the parking setup is perfect, and it has just been a very pleasant experience."
Vendors who want to join in on that experience might be interested in flea markets that Treend hosts on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
"I am always looking for vendors, and we set up in the parking lot," Treend said. "Anyone who wants to come is invited."
More information is available by contacting Treend at (630) 406-9500.
Don't let them bite: Bed bugs are about to meet their match - if word can spread quickly about the firms involved in battling the infestation of these annoying critters.
As pest control companies step up efforts to combat bed bugs, Ed DeMask of Batavia wants his marketing firm on the front lines with the introduction of the "Bed Bug Marketing Kit."
DeMask said since DeMask Marketing began in 2006, marketing for pest control companies has been a focus. His new kit includes news releases for print, web and other digital media.
Questions about the kit can be directed to ed@demaskmarketing.com.
dheun@sbcglobal.net