With no agreement on the budget between the legislature and the Governor, there is speculation on the opening of schools this fall. Dr. Doug Domeracki, Superintendent of Community high School District 94, discussed this in the Friday, June 3, 2016 District eNews.
“For Community High School District 94, state funding comprises nearly 12 percent of revenue for the Education Fund and about 37 percent of revenue for the Transportation Fund. Due to District 94’s careful fiscal management, the District has fund reserves that will allow the opening of school and will sustain the District through the upcoming school year. Of course, this would mean that the dysfunction at the Capitol has resulted in a shift of the cost of educating children in Illinois to local property taxpayers.”
He added that the top priority for elected officials “must be to enact a balanced budget that includes adequate funds for public schools for the upcoming school year. This will ensure that schools across the state open on time and are adequately funded for the full year.”
He encourages taxpayers to get in touch with their elected officials to voice concerns about the current “state of the state.” The contact information is Senator Jim Oberweis at senatoroberweis@gmail.com, Senator Michael Connelly at senatorconnelly21@gmail.com, Representative Michael Fortner at mike.fortner@sbcglobal.net, and Representative Jeanne Ives at repjeanneives@gmail.com.
“Meanwhile, be assured that your Board of Education and I will continue to monitor this situation closely. We are committed to continuing the outstanding educational services that our students deserve, and are committed to serving our school community without interruption.”
AROUND AND ABOUT
Abby Ray Digital Art is the exhibit at Gallery 200, 200 Main Street, for the month of June. The artist’s reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2016. Light refreshments are served.
Her photography “captures muted colors reflecting the things we may not want to see in ourselves.” Appearing in her photography are difficult emotions or harsh realities. She uses post processing to produce unique color schemes and bold images, drawing her inspiration from movie stills; horror is her favorite genre.
Ray is majoring in Fine Art Photography at Columbia College in Chicago. She plans to continue studying graphic design, and would like a career working with musical artists or event planners to create “album artwork” or interesting event promotions. (www.merleburl.com)
The John Piertz (JP Sports) baseball and softball tournament is Friday through Sunday, June 10 – 12, 2016 at Reed-Keppler and Pioneer Parks.
Wayne Township Seniors hold a garage sale from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Township building, 27W031 North Avenue.
The 1860s Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Depot, 134 Turner Court, is open from noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016. There are exhibits of West Chicago railroad history, including a model of the Chicago & North Western Roundhouse.
Dean Klapatch, pastor of Glen Arbor Community Church, hosts a class “Build Your Own Quadcopter,” which is commonly known as a drone today. The orientation meeting is at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Church, 204 Church Street. It is open to all persons in the community, not just members of the church. “We are going to use this hobby of radio control to promote learning about science involving motors, electricity,speed controls and radios in a format where parents and their children can learn together,” he explained. The idea stems from when Klapatch, as a youth, worked with his father and learned more about him and life through this experience. “I hope to create the same opportunity for parents today.”
The plan is to build the Hobby King Ghost copter, which can fly at night because of the LED lighting. Another option is to build airplanes, which do take longer to make. The informational meeting involves the discussion of levels of development, associated costs and best dates and times to meet. Persons interested in attending can email info@glenarbor.org or call (630) 708-0495.
First United Methodist Church of West Chicago hosts “Death by Pie’ at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Church, 643 East Washington Street. The dinner is served around a three-act murder mystery. On the menu are appetizers, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, dessert and beverage. The popular pie auction follows the meal. The ticket price is $12.50 and $6 for children under the age of 12. To reserve tickets call the Church office at (630) 231-3344. Proceeds support local, national and international missions.
National Flag Day is Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Remember to proudly display the flag at your home and/or business. Persons with faded or tattered flags can take them to American Legion Post 300, 123 Main Street, or Veterans of Foreign Wars, 431 North Neltnor Boulevard. There is a flag burning ceremony this month.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation of establishing a national flag day to honor the United States flag and to commemorate the flag’s adoption by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. On that date, the congress replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with 13 white stars in a circle of blue and 12 red and white stripes, which represent the original 13 colonies. Each of the stars in the flag of today represents the 50 states in the United States. Flag Day did not become official until President Harry Truman signed the legislation in 1949.
In collaboration with the West Chicago Public Library District, West Chicago City Museum continues its Histiography program, a non-fiction book reading group. The discussion group meets at noon, Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the museum, 132 Main Street. Guests can bring a sack lunch; dessert and drinks are provided.
The book under discussion is “Picturing Illinois: Twentieth-Century Postcard Art from Chicago to Cairo” by John A. Jakle and Keith A Sclle. With the debut of the picture postcard around the start of the 20th century, the sending and collecting lasted for decades. This book chronicles what persons in Illinois considered attractive, intriguing and memorable about the state. The authors also discuss the messages written on the postcards. “Providing rich historical and geographical context, the book illustrates the picture postcard’s significance in American popular culture and the unique ways in which Illinoisans pictured their world” according to the review by University of Illinois Press.
Copies of the book are available at the Museum and Library. Call the West Chicago City Museum at (630) 231-3376 for further information.
During the summer, West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main Street, offers some hand-made history classes geared for youth ages 9 to 14. Participants make historic objects using traditional methods.
The first one, “Candle Crazy,” is from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016. The youths make several different candles, such as rolled, dipped and poured. There is a $5 materials fee. Registration deadline date is Saturday, June 11, and may be made by calling the Museum at (630) 231-3376 or email museum@westchicago.org.
The West Chicago Police Department hosts an Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Police Station, 325 Spencer Street. There are tours of the building plus information about services and programs available to residents. These include Vacation Watch, Free Prescription Drop Off and Neighborhood Watch. Also offered are free Child Safety Seat Inspections and free gun locks.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, holds Vacation Bible School from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, June 20 – 24, 2016. Activities include Bible lessons, songs, prayer, crafts, games and snacks. It is geared for youths of all ages. The suggested donation is $5 per child, a maximum of $10 per family. For further information or to sign up, call the church office at (630) 231-3787. (www.merleburl.com)
Friends of West Chicago Parks Foundation host the Seventh Annual “Funds For Fun” Golf Outing Friday, June 24, 2016 at Prairie Landing Golf Course, 2325 Longest Drive. Registration is at 7:30 a.m.; Shot Gun start is at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $160 per person, $625 for a foursome and $30 for lunch only which starts at 1:00 p. m. Registration deadline is Friday, June 17, 2016. Forms are available online, http://www.we-goparks.org/#!park-foundation-/czs8. Other activities include raffles, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit the scholarship program to provide recreational opportunities for low income qualifying families in the Park District. For more information, email Lily Medina at lmedina@we-goparks.org.
West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and West Chicago Park District co-host the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember 5K Run/Walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run Sunday, July 9, 2016, starting and ending at the ARC in Reed-Keppler Park. Medals will be awarded to the top two finishers (male and female) in each of six age categories. Runners’ times will be taken at the mile markers and results will be posted after the race. Age categories are 19 and under, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and over.
The race fee is $30 for each runner/walker and $20 for each additional runner/walker in the same household. 1 Mile Fun Run registration fee is $15. Day of race registration increases $5 for each participant. To register visit the website www.racetime.info/ Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 7:30 a.m.
All proceeds benefit the Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Fund to assist students pursuing a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. For more information contact the West Chicago Park District, Det. Robbi Peterson of the West Chicago Police Department at michaelbrowningmemorialfund@gmail.com or visit the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember Facebook page.
Browning grew up in West Chicago, graduating from West Chicago Community High School in 1987. He attended College of DuPage, majoring in criminal justice. His dream was to be a police officer in his hometown. After joining the West Chicago Police Department as a cadet in 1988, his dream came true when he took the oath of office August 25, 1991.
Responding to the scene of a crime in progress, Browning was killed in the line of duty April 20, 1992. The car that was being stolen from a local car dealership struck him.
Persons who wish to make a donation only should make the check payable and mail to Michael Browning Memorial Fund, DuPage Credit Union, 625 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60185.
The 46th Annual Railroad Days Parade, organized by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, takes place Sunday, July 10, 2016. The theme is “Everyday Olympians.” There are three awards-Heritage Award, youth group/organization with the most enthusiasm and spirit; Turner Award-the most unique, creative, and understanding of a business and/or organization; and the Grand Marshal Award-best float that demonstrates the parade theme. Forms are available on the chamber website www.westerndupagechamber.com, under Festivals or in the office, 306 Main Street. The deadline for registering is Thursday, June 20.Call 630 231-3003 for further information.
West Chicago Railroad Days takes place Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, 2016 at Pioneer Park. Activities include, carnival, games, entertainment, food and fireworks.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Ronald William Lingl, who at the age of 79 passed away Saturday, May 28, 2016.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Russell E. Tripp, who at the age of 89 passed away Monday, May 30, 2016.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Robert J. Lipscomb, who at the age of 75 passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016/
Named as Athletes of the Year at West Chicago Community High School were Christopher Michael “Mikey” Bibbs, Veronica “Ronni” Katarzynski and Nayeli Lara.
Honors Night at West Chicago Community High School was Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Some students received local service organization or individual memorial scholarships.
Receiving Veterans’ Educational Scholarships from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 were Nicole Baranowski, Brenna Barrett, Ashlyn Bennett, Lindsay Bruce, Vanessa Hasbun, Lauren May, Lily Michaels and Elizabeth Panicali.
The recipients of the West Chicago Rotary Club Wayne & Helen Fox Interact Scholarship were Hunter McComb and Krishna Patel.
Brian Sullivan was the recipient of the Houston J. Pineda Memorial Scholarship.
Receiving the Lions Club of West Chicago Scholarship was Krishna Patel.
The Relay for Life event, hosted by student members of the President’s Council, Saturday, May 21, 2016 raised almost $5,000.
On Sunday, May 22, 2016, the Voting Assembly of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1800 Joliet Street, voted to close the Church and sell the property. Reasons included the large property, expense, lack of attendance and the retirement of older members who are leaving the area. The date of the last service is not known at this time. The Church was established in 1973. Reverend Alan Gumm is the pastor.
Contract Flooring Service of Glendale Heights recently purchased the property at 1185 Atlantic Drive for its headquarters and the expansion of its flooring business. The building will house new offices and a larger warehouse. The company was founded in 1989. The previous owner of the property was Ceramo Company Inc., a general warehouse and storage business.
The “DuPage Herald Business Ledger” recently honored the 2016 Best Places to Work in Illinois. Synergy Builders, 850 Meadowview Crossing, Unit 13, in West Chicago, ranked 10 out of 30 small businesses, 15 to 99 employees. Other categories were medium and large companies. In 2015, the company ranked 11 out of 31. Best Companies Group managed the program.
Kindred Coffee Roasters Coffee Shop is located at 100 Arbor Avenue. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. The business sells fresh packaged roasted coffee beans and brewing equipment. For more information or to order online visit the website http://www.kindredcoffeeroasters.com.
Support our local businesses as they not only contribute to the community through taxes, but also generously contribute through monetary and in-kind donations to clubs, churches, organizations and schools.
Contributing to the Boy Scout Troop 33 and West Chicago Professional Firefighters Association Local 3970 were Pancake Breakfast were Extra Value Liquors, FNBC Bank & Trust, John B. Reynolds & Sons Memorials Inc., Herman Gomez Tree Service & Landscaping, Inc., Jewel-Osco, Main Street Family Dentistry, Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, Rite-Way Automotive, Rita Butler-Stamps Up!, Kramer Tree Specialists Inc., John F. Cahill-Edward Jones, Scooby’s Red Hots, Source One Staffing, West Chicago Printing Company, Buck Services and Frank’s Auto.
West Chicago Community High School students, staff, and families recently partnered with the West Chicago Park District to remove large pieces of industrial debris and garbage in the Kress Creek as it runs through Kress Creek Farm, 30W150 Wilson Road. The WCCHS boy and girls cross county teams use the park as their home racecourse and by students for practice in water analysis in the AP Environmental course.
Photographs of the graduation of the Class of 2016 at West Chicago Community High School, the Touch-A-Truck event sponsored by the West Chicago Police Department and West Chicago Park District and participation of the West Chicago Police Department in the Law enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics are on my pictorial website www.merleburl.com.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
