“I think I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree. ” Many have the same emotions as expressed in the poem by Joyce Kilmer. This is always evident when Kramer Tree Specialists makes a presentation at a Chamber event. The audience truly listens and usually has many tree-related questions and responses. Again this was true when Ben Deutsch, Plant Health Care Manager and ISA Certified Arborist, discussed vertical mulching at a recent open house at Kramer’s. Most attending had no idea what vertical mulching was and why necessary.
Deutsch explained, “Soil compaction is one of the most difficult and common challenges in the urban environment for trees.” When persons see trees with pale leaves, smaller leaf size or thinning canopy, they assume it is disease or insect infestation and treat it accordingly. However, the problem could be below ground and more difficult to diagnose. It could be soil compaction, “which reduces water infiltration into the soil, reduces the area for fine root growth, poor aeration and more.”
He explains soil compaction is in many urban areas as the topsoil is moved for development and then replaced with a much smaller amount than was originally there. Other causes include increased foot and vehicular traffic, plus the addition or enlargement of a driveway, the installation of patio. In addressing this issue, solutions include landscape design, layout and treatment applications.
Vertical mulching is one treatment that can make a difference. “Using an air spade to create holes throughout the critical root zone, the application helps reduce the compaction and aerates the soil.” Then the holes are injected with organic materials such as leaf mulch, which “help to build blocks of new soil.” This proves that it is sometimes vital to get to the root of the problem.
AROUND AND ABOUT
WeGo Drama at West Chicago Community High School has two upcoming fundraisers. One is Spirit Night from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Augustino’s Rock & Roll Deli & Grill, 300 West North Avenue. A portion of the proceeds benefits the organization. The second one is Trivia Night Friday, January 24, 2020, in the Commons, at the high school, 326 Joliet Street. The games start at 7:00 p.m. The charge is $10 per person. To register your teams, email judy.hancock@sbcglobal.net.
West Chicago Public Library holds a Microsoft Word-Level 2 class at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2020, in the small conference room, 118 West Washington Street. In this class, students learn more advanced formatting techniques, page set up, lists, sorting and symbols. To make a reservation, call adult services at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
The last day for recycling incandescent and LED holiday lights that no longer work and/or extension cords no longer needed, is Friday, January 17, 2020. The offer is open to residents, businesses, clubs, churches and organizations. Drop-off locations are City Hall, 475 Main Street; First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 643 East Washington Street; Murphy Ace Hardware, 319 South Neltnor Boulevard; Water Treatment Plant, 1400 West Hawthorne Lane; West Chicago Public Library District, 118 West Washington Street; and the ARC Center, 201 West National Street.
The West Chicago Environmental Commission coordinates the program with Elgin Recycling, which collects these items to strip and recycle for their copper and plastic parts. The company is a full service scrap metal business serving the area for more than 30 years.
Celebration of Art, sponsored by People Made Visible and Gallery 200, is the exhibit for the month of January at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. Artwork from community members is on display. Artists include Margaret Bucholz, Rachel DiTella, Uwe Gsedl, Nick Gurley, Judith Horsley, Fredericka Howard, Kathi Kuchler, Nate Matthews, Heide Morris and Buddy Plumlee. The artists’ reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2020. (www.merleburl.com)
“Know Your Rights Series: Public Charge and Visa Process” seminar, hosted by State Representative Karina Villa (D-49), is at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2020, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road. Two more seminars take place Fridays, January 24, and January 31.
The WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics Club hosts the Eighth Annual Kwasman Klassic basketball game Saturday, January 18, 2020, in Bishop Gym at West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet Street, entrance C. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; game begins at 7:00 p.m. Basketball teams are members of the West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and West Chicago Illinois Association of Firefighter 3970. Members of the Special Olympics team play with the firefighters and policemen for the first three quarters. Coaches for the Special Olympics team are Dick Doremus and Dirk Gunderson. Diana Gunderson is the timekeeper; Kyle Gunderson is the home referee. The State Champions, West Chicago Youth Cheerleading team, are part of the fun evening.
There is no charge to attend. However persons attending are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for the Neighborhood Food Pantry located at 123 Fremont Street. Concessions are available with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Special Olympics Club. There is a 50/50 raffle and a raffle for gift baskets. The fundraiser is named after the late Mayor Mike Kwasman. Hempe explained, “He was the driving force and expressed the spirit to get our fledgling club restarted.” (www.merleburl.com)
St. Mary’s Parish holds its fourth Annual Pro-Life March from 2:15 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2020. Starting at the Church, 140 North Oakwood Avenue, the route proceeds west on York Street, north on Arbor Avenue, east on National Street, south on Elite, west on Grand Lake Boulevard, south on Garden Street back to the Church.
Morning and evening free English as a Second Language classes,sponsored by West Chicago Elementary School District 33, We Go Together for Kids, College of DuPage and Literacy DuPage, are available for all District 33 families. For information, call Clara Thomas at (630) 447-9204.
Morning classes are from 9:00 to 11:25 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, starting Wednesday, January 29, or Tuesdays or Thursdays, starting Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at Currier School, 800 Gary’s Mill Road, Door 6. Placement tests are at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, Wednesday, January 22, Friday, January 23, or Monday, January 27, 2020.
Evening classes are from 6:00 to 8:25 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting January 28, at Turner School, 750 Ingalton Avenue. The placement exam is at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, or Thursday, January 23, 2020.
“Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Chicago’s Musical Milestones from the 1930s to the 1990s” is the West Chicago Public Library program at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2020, in the main program room, 118 West Washington Street. As the hub of America’s industry and transportation during the first half of the twentieth century, it is natural that Chicago was the birthplace of some genres of modern music and the site of historic happenings. Entertainer, historian and Chicago tour guide Clarence Goodman gives a presentation about concerts, recording sessions and famous encounters that are all part of Chicago’s musical lore. To make a reservation, call the Adult Services Department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4. (www.merleburl.com)
Community High School District 94 Educational Foundation hosts a reception to honor the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recipients, Abraham Mashal, Class of 1998, and Rachel Moguel, Class of 2003. It takes place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2020, in the Commons at West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet Street. The culinary classes taught by Angela Gentile provide the hors d’oeuvres.
West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, January 23, 2020, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road. Social time is at 6:45 p.m., short business meeting at 7:00 p.m. and program at 7:15 p.m.
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Orchestra Concert is at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2020, in the cafetorium, 238 East Hazel Street.
Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane, hosts its Eleventh Annual Turkey Bowl Charity Event Fundraiser at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2020. The charity this year is the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to fire safety, burn prevention, and supporting burn survivors. There are many prizes, give away items, and a 50/50 raffle, The charge is $60 per four-person teams. Pre-registration is required. Teams must register at the bar or see a manager. The event is limited to 100 teams. For individuals not on a team, this is a fun event to watch and cheer on your favorite team. For further information call (630) 293-6700. (www.merleburl.com)
“Seed Starting 101” is the GardenWorks Project program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the West Chicago Resource Center in Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. The presenter Ellen Kamps, full-time consultant, gives valuable tips and techniques on how to start seeds this winter. She has been farming for more than five years. In 2019, Kamps traveled to Germany to study Bavarian value-added production, to Italy to study viticulture and oenology and to Switzerland to consult on an organic vegetable farm in the Aline Valley. She currently is studying international agriculture and economics with the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program. She teaches in the Agricultural Department at College of DuPage. To make a reservation, visit http://www.gardenworksproject.org/events.
West Chicago Community High School offers a 12-week Wildcat Preschool for local children ages 2.5 to 5 years of age and is taught by students enrolled in Child Development 2 courses under the supervision of teacher Brittany Bauer. The classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 4 to April 30, 2020. The class times for the first ten weeks are 10:50 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. and for the last two weeks the times are 10:50 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Child Development 1 students have the opportunity to teach these weeks, and for this reason preschool is extended one hour. Lessons range from alphabet and number awareness to gross motor activities to beginning reading and writing. Activities include a Spring Concert, a field trip to the Brookfield Zoo, and Preschool Graduation. The cost is $180. To register and for more information,, visit www.d94.org/preschool. For further information call Brittney Bauer at (630) 876-6377 or email bbauer@d94.org.
Family Zumba classes are from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays at Turner School, 750 Ingalton Avenue. For further information, call or text Clara Thomas at (630) 447-9204.
To assist Wayne Township seniors with the preparation of their 2019 tax returns, AARP has trained tax volunteers at the Senior Center. Participants must bring their completed 2018 return, all 2019 tax information and a driver’s license or state ID. For further information or to schedule an appointment, call the Senior Center at (630) 231-7155.
La Quebrada restaurant, 1400 South Neltnor Boulevard, recently opened. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (www.merleburl.com).
Behavioral Perspective, Inc, 245 West Roosevelt Road. Building 15, Suite 103, recently opened.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Lorraine E. Kenton, who at the age of 90 passed away Thursday, January 9, 2020.
“Your Images,” the Daily Herald Photography Contest, featured a photograph by West Chicago resident Tom Knutson in the Tuesday, January 7, 2020, issue.
The induction of the new officers of the Methodist & Congregational Women of First United Methodist Church took place Saturday, January 4, 2020. They are Jenny Tracey, president; Erlaine Born, vice president; Linda Smith, secretary; Roberta Kent, treasurer; and Pearl Schoenberger, chairman of nominations. (www.merleburl.com)
After 27 years with the West Chicago Police Department, Officer Michael Rosenwinkel, training coordinator, retired Wednesday, January 8, 2020. During his career at the Department, he served as a patrol officer, a K-9 handler and a community relations officer. (www.merleburl.com)
The WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics Club basketball team lost its game played to District 203 Naperville with a score of 55-25 Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Club president Dave Hempe said, “We were very rusty.”
At the Friday, January 10, 2020, basketball gave Wheaton Academy beat Westmont High School with a score of 52-16. The score for the Saturday game was the opposite. WA lost to St. Francis High School with a score of 65-38.
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