Linda Z's becomes sewer's mecca in Arlington Heights

Linda Zachman, of unincorporated Cary, has finally achieved what she's always wanted, owning a sewing superstore that has become a destination for quilting and sewing fans from around the Midwest. In fact, some fans have made daylong events of their treks and enjoyed the coffee bar at her store, Linda Z's.

The newly expanded store, now at 1216 E. Central Road in Arlington Heights, also attracted the attention of executives at one of the world's oldest sewing machine companies. Hanspeter Ueltschi, the fourth-generation owner of Bernina International, the global maker of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines and accessories, is coming from Switzerland just for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 10.

“When customers come into our store, it's not like shopping at the mall. It's like coming home,” Zachman said.

And it's finally home for Zachman as well. After she fell in love with sewing in high school home economics classes, she later wrote “Lingerie with Linda Z's,” a book that became a part of the curriculum at area high school home ec classes for years, she said.

She also enjoyed working so much on Bernina sewing machines, that she made it the focus of her first store when it opened in the 1960s in Des Plaines. Later expansions brought the store to Mount Prospect and then to Arlington Heights.

Today, she has 16 employees and 25 contractors, who teach various sewing classes at her store, which is open seven days a week.

The new shop has walls devoted to colorful threads and accessories and offers every sewing need, she said.

The original Arlington Heights store, at 1030 E. Central Road, is now an outlet with pre-owned sewing and embroidery machines and other equipment.

So the unveiling on Thursday will culminate Zachman's dream for herself and for others who sew. Besides Ueltschi, who will autograph sewing machines, other Bernina executives are expected to attend, along with Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder.

Also, Kaye England, a fabric designer for Wilmington Prints and head of Kaye England Publications, will offer lectures, demonstrations and a trunk show, among other events.

“I have a real passion for it, and you have to have a passion for something or you won't do it,” Zachman said.

Taking flight in Sugar Grove

David Ufen, the new avionics director at J.A. Air Center in Sugar Grove, has been a longtime airplane mechanic and worked in various other areas of the airline industry. Now, he's working on getting his pilot's license and plans to make his first solo flight this week using a Cessna 172. The solo flight is a milestone in getting his license, which he aims to do by the end of the month.

Ethanol executive gets new bosses

Mount Prospect resident Richard Ruebe, CEO of GTL Resources, will be getting new bosses soon. Itasca-based GTL and its Illinois River Energy, which produces ethanol, has agreed to be acquired for about $52 million by Sinav Ltd., a group of investors that includes a longtime shareholder. GTL has five workers and Illinois River Energy has another 60 workers. Ruebe said he doesn't anticipate any changes once the deal closes in about 3 months.

Breaking ground

Mike Creed, director of operations for the Chicago division of Orleans Homes, along with Warrenville Mayor David Brummel broke ground for the Maple Terrace community, slated to be finished by Spring 2013. The development on Batavia Avenue will include single-family homes starting in the low $300,000. The development is the first since Orleans Homes was restructured earlier this year.

FastTrack

Barrington Hills resident Diana Joseph, chief investment officer for Barrington Strategic Wealth Management Group LLC, has earned the Five Star Wealth Manager Award for service. The honor appears in the November issue of Chicago magazine. ... Cheryl Hansen of Arlington Heights is the new technical support specialist at Davis Business Solutions in West Dundee.

Marcus G. Talerico, a surgeon who lives in Libertyville, is now practicing with MidAmerica Orthopaedics' offices in Libertyville and Schaumburg. He previously practiced as an orthopedic surgeon on active duty in the U.S. Navy, serving in Okinawa, Japan, and the Great Lakes Naval Base in Lake County.

Former Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael R. Galasso will be administrative partner of the Wheaton office of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP. He'll provide oversight on daily operations and provide strategic planning. ... Lake Forest resident Carlton R. Marcyan, a partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck was named Chicago Area Best Family Law Lawyer of the Year for 2012 by Best Lawyers, a publication for lawyers. ... And speaking of lawyers, Brian D. Moore of Naperville has opened his practice in his hometown and will focus on consumer protection, employee rights and other areas.

Michaelene Lewand is the new director of clinical operations for Advanced Clinical in Deerfield. She'll help with the firm's expansion of services. She was previously an associate director at Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc. ... Jim Barr starts Nov. 14 as the new executive vice president and chief digital officer at Naperville-based OfficeMax Inc.

Robert Holmes, head of North American human resources for Nokia Siemens Networks in Arlington Heights and Jay Romans, senior vice president of People for Waste Management Inc., which has operations in Oakbrook Terrace, are traveling to Dallas to be among the speakers at the 2011 Human Capital Leadership Forum on Wednesday.

Natasha Bonomo of Northern Trust Corp., Sarah Bruns of Avocado Inc., Mark Galati of Interior Investments LLC, Charles McLimans of Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, Raymond McGury of Naperville Park District, Tom Miers of the Naperville Bank & Trust and Mark Schultz of Dugan & Lopatka, all Naperville residents, are the new board directors for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. Cathy Subber of Advanced Health of Naperville also was recommended as 2013 chair of the board. They'll start Jan. 1.

Jennifer Podkasik was promoted to vice president and Hannah Schroder to account supervisor at JSH&A Public Relations in Oakbrook Terrace.

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