At Home with Merle Burleigh – January 26, 2022

New Artist Exhibit at Gallery 200
            During the month of February Mexican Cultural Center DuPage presents a special exhibit by West Chicago artist Giovanni Arellano at Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St. The artist’s reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022.  Curators of the exhibit are MCCD board members Sara Phalen and Fernando Ramirez. The exhibit is made possible in part by funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Masks are required.
Giovanni, age 24, better known as Fiendsco, owns his own business. His parents moved from Zacatecas, Mexico to West Chicago. His brother and sister “are both very creative and artistic in their own sweet nature as our creativity stems from our Dad.” Giovanni always had a passion for drawing, receiving encouragement from his teachers. “I designed my first few T-shirts in my junior year of high school as “Dozed in Solitude” to reflect that. I inherited the name ‘Fiends” my senior year and developed most of my main characters during this time.”
In college, he had access to different software. “It was then when I produced my first in-house order of about 20 T-shirts using my iron. As the urge to create continued, I leveled up to ’Fiendsco’ growing more and more addicted to my work.” He added, “My lifestyle choices and experiences trigger certain influences in my imagination and like clockwork, I create. Through art, I express and reflect my reality. Fiendsco is a lucid figment of my subconscious reality. ”
His business consists of a one-man team managing everything from design and production to marketing and networking.  He creates screen painted and hand painted artwork. “I love to create, I love to expand and I love to grow.” He also stated, “I focus in traditional sketching, digital design, character design, logo design, apparel design and custom commissions. I am seeking; murals, custom hoodies. Together, if anything, we can envision together-if we can create it, let’s make it.”  For more information on his business, visit https://fiendsco.com/home.
Persons in the community may have seen his artwork on several projects in the historic downtown area. One was painting the boarded up window at Gallery 200 when its window was broken. The Daily Herald covered this in an article. The other was a mural on a window at Coco Loco Restaurant during a City event.

AROUND AND ABOUT

• West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road. Short business meeting is at 7 p.m. followed by the program at 7:15 p.m.
  The speaker, Heather Price, presents the program, “Shady Characters: Nifty Plants for Shady Sites.” She explores the colors and textures of shade loving plants and shows varieties and species for dry shade, moist shade, part shade and dense shade. Her experience in horticulture includes working at the Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Gardens, The Growing Place, The Pizzo Group, Wannemaker’s Home & Garden and the American Horticultural Society. She is a professional garden writer and trained horticulturist specializing in trees, shrubs and natives with a passion for connecting people with plants.
• First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 643 E. Washington St., celebrates and honors the ministry of its associate pastor, Leslie Singh at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan 30. At this time, she is stepping down from her ministry. (https://merleburl.com)
• “Cutting the Cable Cord” is the West Chicago Public Library program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, via Zoom. The speaker is Mike Gershbein from Very Smart People. Amazon, HBO Max and Netflix offer just a few of the options available for people who are interested in cutting the cable. Amazon, HBO Max and Netflix offer just a few of the options available for people who are interested in cutting the cable cord and joining the world of streaming television.  To register, visit https://wcpld.info, under calendar.
• West Chicago Public Library has a Wits Workout program at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, via Zoom. Recommended for older adults, the program includes games, puzzles, word play and brainteasers. To register, visit https://wcpld.info, under calendar.
• Healthy West Chicago holds a Family Cooking Class, “Throwback Thursday” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, via Zoom. Classes are free and open to all West Chicago Elementary School District 33 families. Supplies are provided to the first 20 registrants with pick up at West Chicago Public Library, 118 West Washington Street. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3qorrpg. For further information email director@healthywestchicago.org. Participants learn tips on eating healthy and involving children in food preparation. Chef Maria demonstrates the preparation of stove top macaroni and cheese.
• The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park presents its Date with History series program at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, via Zoom. The program is “Water is the War Drink: the Path from WWI to Prohibition.” Claire White, educational programs manager at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nev., is the speaker. Registration is required at FDMuseum.org. The First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton, is open weekends starting Friday, Feb. 4.White discusses the role World
  • War I played in the passing of the 18th Amendment, ratified in 1919, and how cultural shifts during wartime affected Prohibition’s enforcement. She is a public historian interested in the cultural and religious history of the United States. She earned a history degree at the University of Nevada and a master’s in public history from the University of South Carolina
• 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 from 11:20 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning Feb. 8 and ending May 5, 2022. The cost is $180. Orientation date is from to 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3. 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.  To register and for more information, visit www.d94.org/preschool.
• Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane, hosts its Twelfth Annual Turkey Bowl Charity Event Fundraiser at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. The charity this year is the Tessa Dante, a two-year old girl undergoing treatment of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is a rare and aggressive form of pediatric cancer. 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.
• Life Line Screenings take place Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road. To register call 866-229-0469, visit https://www.lifelinescreening.com or text circle to 79797. The tests are cartons artery/plaque, heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and osteoporosis risk assessment. The price for the five screening sis $139.
• Microsoft Excel is the West Chicago Public Library \computer class at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in the main program room, 118 W. Washington St. Topics include Excel's layout and basic functions, entering and editing data, using multiple spreadsheets in the same workbook, formatting and sorting data, and writing and understanding formulas. To register, visit https://wcpld.info, under calendar.
• The West Chicago Park District has a Sip and Paint event, “Masterpiece on Glass,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at the ARC, 201 W. National Street. Abby Adams of Make YOU Brush is the instructor. Participants over the age of 21 can bring their own favorite adult beverage of wine or beer to sip while painting. The $35 registration fee includes step by step instructions and necessary supplies Stencils are provided, no experience is necessary. To register, visit we-goparks.org/adult-programs.
• The West Chicago Park District monthly social gathering is at noon Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at the ARC, 201 W. National Street. The district provides the Valentine lunch. The entertainment is a love inspired movie, plus popcorn while watching.There is a $10 charge, with reservations required by Friday, Feb. 4.  To register, visit we-goparks.org/adult-programs.
• West Chicago Park District hosts a murder mystery dinner, where guests interact with the cast. It takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in the ARC, 201 W. National Street. The dinner menu includes Italian beef, fried chicken, Caesar salad and baked Mostaccioli. The cost is $35; free child care is included in the registration.  Reservations are due by Friday, Feb. 11, at www.we-goparks.org/special-events.
  • Guests, dressed in their finery “dine” at the estate of Sir Warren Peace. The night is filled with mystery, intrigue and murder. An unhinged guest is whacking all the invitees. No one knows who the next victim might be. Guess can bribe suspects for clues and gather information to find out “who done it.”

• The amount of the trees in the forest of West Chicago resident and artist Anni Holm is growing. She is working on a project for her upcoming exhibit in February at the Old Danish Kirke Museum in Manistee, Michigan. The Kirke, meaning church in Danish, showcases the Danish heritage of the area. Holm’s exhibit is a contemporary piece telling the story of the original land and settlers. The exhibit will include a forest of 100 artificial trees, filling the pews of the old church. It will also include a video presentation displayed in a wood cabin, a Danish flag made by U.S. Danish citizens, and an audio presentation of sounds from a  Danish church. To create the exhibit, Holm needs 100 artificial Christmas trees. At this time last week, she had 50; now she has 96. Persons who have a tree they would like to donate can reach Holm by calling or texting  847-436-2664.
• Maggie Capettini, former education director at West Chicago City Museum has two paintings in the juried “inSIGHTful” exhibit in the Gallery at Norris Cultural Center, 1040 Dunham Road in St. Charles. The exhibit features artwork conveying the emotion of optimism and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, ending Saturday, Feb 26, 2022. The artists’ reception is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13.
• Community High School District 94 Board of Education meetings are now livestreamed. Each board meeting has a separate broadcast link, which is provided a few days prior to the meeting via Facebook, Twitter and the Board of Education newsletter sent via email each Friday before the meeting, www.d94.org/signupenews. Broadcasts are archived so persons can view at their convenience.
• “Renewal” is the theme for the 2022 Art Banner Exhibit. All media is acceptable with no limitation to technique or subject as long as it relates to the theme. It is a juried exhibit. The selected entries are displayed on banners hanging in the historic downtown area from May through September. To submit artwork, visit https://form.jotform.com/212725943004046 for the entry form. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, Feb. 15.
• Persons can renew their license plate stickers at Wayne Township, 27W031 North Avenue. Expired stickers can be purchased through Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Persons must bring registration, driver’s license and cash or check, no credit cards. If cars need an emission test, this must be done beforehand. There is a $5 processing fee. For further information, call 630-231-7140.
• Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce has chartered the Amaderus Brilliant cruise  ship for a seven-night cruise visiting four European countries along the Danube. Ports of call include Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Milk and Linz. Accommodations include spacious cabins and indoor pool. The trip takes place from Oct, 23 through Nov. 1, 2022. The cost starts at $3,849 per person including round trip airfare. For further information, visit http://www.westerndupagechamber.com/index.php?m=63 or call Dave Sabathne at (630) 231-3003.
• The City of West Chicago seeks volunteers to fill vacancies on several of its Commissions. These opportunities provide residents, and non-residents in some cases, with a chance to be involved in the community while sharing their own personal experiences, expertise, and talents. There are three positions open on the Cultural Arts Commission and one position on the Historical Preservation Commission. For specific information on these commissions and forms to volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/3F3k63 or the City’s website https://westchicago.org.

Support our local businesses.

COVID-19

• Free COVID testing is from 10:00 a.m. to noon Mondays and Fridays at Wayne Township, 27W031 North Avenue. For further information, call the township at 630-231-7173. American Family Medical Center manages the testing site. The contact person is Mr. Ravl, 630-207-5099.
• A COVID-19 vaccination clinic is open from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road. The clinic is for persons age 18 and older. To make an appointment, call the church office at 630-231-3787 or email office@standrewlutheran.net
• The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County's "COVID-19 Dashboard" is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of Monday, Jan. 24, 2022,  there were 7,940 cases and 60 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording.

Sympathies

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of James “Jim”Arthur Staniels, who at the age of 82 passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.
• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Eileen Woodward, who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2022.
• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Paul Bensen, who at the age of 88 passed away Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.
• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Leo Garcia, Jr., who passed away Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.
• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Arturo Aguilar, who passed away Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.

West Chicago Police Department

• West Chicago Police Sergeant Richard Langelan recently was promoted as Administrative Sergeant. He graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command through Northwestern University. The ten-week program provides upper level college instruction, covering topics such as Leadership, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Planning and Police Development. (https://merleburl.com)

Several Students from the Class of 2022 Completed the Requirements to Graduate Early
The January graduates are Jaime Alvez, Dana Armas, Salvador Bautista, Victoria Brzozowski, Evelyn Cortez, Daniel Figueroa, Gerardo Flores, Gloria Gonzalez, Daniel Grimaldo, Lydia Jones, Negin Kalani Sobi, Matthew Lebron, Jacob Macias, Aleen Martin, Hannah Radousky, Jeffrey Romero Alcantar, Edwardo Rubio, Estevan Salinas and Jackelyne Servin.

•  Angelica Romano, West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Executive Director of Human Resources, is the recipient of the Personnel Administrator of the Year Award from Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators. The award is in recognition of her involvement and contribution as a participant on the local, state and national level, her contributions making a significant impact on public education, a skilled manager of change and creativity in her approach to school personnel administration.
• The newly elected officers of the West Chicago Garden club are Dan Beebe, President; Janet Frogner, Vice President; Kerry Perry,Treasurer; Hayley Hawkinson, Secretary; and Patti Zaputil, Director at Large. Others are Ruth Kyme, Program Director; Mary Schramer and Dan Beebe, Plant Sale Chair; Pamela Darrah, Information Director; Billie Childress, Kruse House Chair; and Jan Grismore, Hospitality Chair.
•  Joan Vander Molen celebrated her 101st birthday, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022
•  The new textbooks proposed for the West Chicago Community High School 2022-2023 school year are available for inspection and public comment in the districts office, 326 Joliet St. Times are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on every business day through Wednesday, Feb. 9. Drive Right, 11th edition, for Driver’s Education is in print. The other books are available both in print and electronic for chemistry, biology, environmental science and physics Advanced Placement classes.
•  At the Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, basketball game Wheaton Academy lost to St. Francis High School with a score of 58-45.

West Chicago City Council Meeting: Jan. 17, 2022

• At the meeting Monday Jan. 17, 2022, City Council approved the Final Development Plan for 8005-B Discovery Drive. Per the Item Summary, ”This is the second phase of a two-phase effort for Suncast.” The new building is 716,789 square feet.
• Also approved was a contract for the 2022 Parkway Tree Planting Program in the amount of $38,845 to Acres Group of Plainfield. The program involves the provision and planting of 133 trees.
• Council approved the contract for the 2022 Forest Maintenance Program in the amount of $150,000 to Steve Piper & Sons of Naperville. “This program covers contractual trimming and removal of parkway trees.”
• Also approved wan an intergovernmental Agreement with the West Chicago Fire Protection District for Installation and Maintenance of Vehicle Preemption Equipment within the City of West Chicago. The Item Summary states, “There are 20 signalized intersections with traffic control devices located within West Chicago, 18 of which are located along the State highways, while the other two are located along Main Street.” All are equipped with the EVP equipment, which, in an emergency situation yields the right of way for emergency vehicles to pass through the intersection without stopping. The Illinois Department of Transportation is in the design stages of proposing a new traffic signal at Route 59 and Gary’s Mill Road. The WCFPD wants to install VPE here. This agreement from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2041, and covers all 20 signalized locations and any future installations.
• City Council approved the Draft Comprehensive Plan.  A side note:  To view the plan visit https://westchicago.org, scroll down to West Chicago Forward.
• Also approved was the appointment of Kenneth D. Frantzen to the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending April 2027 and Anna Leuer to the Environmental Commission for a term ending April 2025.

• At the Upstate Eight Conference wrestling match, West Chicago Community High School wrestling team came in third. Senior team captain Pierre Baldwin  won the outstanding wrestler award and Connor Zentner won his first Conference title.

My email address is merleburl2earthlink.net. https://merleburl.com