The 16th annual Blooming Fest takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday May 21, 2016 in the downtown historic district. Included in the event is the garden club plant sale, various vendors, artwork displays, entertainment and museum exhibits
Returning this year is Artéculture and the Pancake Breakfast.
Artéculture, under the auspices of West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, takes place throughout the Blooming Fest activities from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the City-owned building, 103 West Washington Street. Inspired by the Fine Arts Fiesta, Artéculture features work of local artists and those in the Chicagoland area. The artists’ reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 20, with musical entertainment provided by People Made Visible.
The two-dimensional work such as paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, mixed medias, computer art, stained glass and fiber must be ready to hang, preferred are framing with wire and eyehooks. Also sculpture and crafts are eligible for entry.
The registration fee is $5 for each piece of work with a limit of two per artist. Work must be delivered from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, May 19, and picked up from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at 103 West Washington Street.. Persons interested in exhibiting their artwork should visit www.westchicago.org/Residents/Forms and Applications/Artéculture. To arrange for different drop off and pick up times email cultural@westchicago.org. Pre-registration is encouraged. The money collected benefits the scholarship fund.
During Blooming Fest Boy Scout Troop 33 and West Chicago Professional Firefighters Association Local 3970 co-host a Pancake Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 300, 123 Main Street. The menu is pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, milk or orange juice. Coffee also is available. Ticket price $6 and free for children age three and under. To purchase tickets in advance, call troop leader Steve Usedom at (630) 562-2212. Proceeds benefit outdoor scouting activities and equipment, plus community service projects supported by the Firefighters Association and Troop 33. (www.merleburl.com)
I will have more details on Blooming Fest in the Thursday, May 18, 2016 column/blog
AROUND AND ABOUT
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Spring Band Concert is at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in the cafetorium at Leman Middle School, 238 East Hazel Street.
Gala 33-Art Show of West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2016 followed by District 33 Spring Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the cafetorium at Leman Middle School, 238 East Hazel Street. Janet Sikma is the orchestra director. Art students receiving Superintendent Awards were Christina Guo, 4th Grade Wegner School; Gianna Kud, 1st Grade Indian Knoll School; Julia Koput, 2nd Grade Gary School; Cindy Salinas, 3rd Grade Turner School; Evelyn Garcia, 3rd Grade Pioneer School; Ellie Tewell, 2nd Grade Currier School; Elyse Zheng, 7th Grade Leman Middle School; and Marlen Zenteno, 8th Grade Leman Middle School.
West Chicago Community High School McTeacher Night is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2016 at McDonald’, 89 West North Avenue. High school staff work behind the counters to raise money for Club Green. McDonald’s donates 15 percent of each person’s order.
West Chicago Christian rock band, 4th Point, performs a benefit concert Thursday, May 12, 2016 in the Weyrauch Auditorium at West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet Street. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the concert starts at 6:30 p.m. The charge is $3 with the proceeds benefitting WeGo Global for Refugees and the Chicago Eagles Soccer Ministry. (www.merleburl.com)
Carie and Duane Perkins celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary Thursday, May 12, 2016.
The John Suvada baseball and softball tournament is Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Reed-Keppler and Pioneer parks.
West Chicago Community High School Annual Spring Fling Jazz Concert and Swing Dance, hosted by the Music Booster Club, are from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2016 in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. The stage is cleared and turned into a dance floor, portraying the era during the 40s and 50s when the auditorium was the only large space to hold dances.
Swing dance instruction begins at 7:00 and ends at 8:00 p.m. The Chamber Choir and Jazz Band perform and guests dance from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Dancing continues to recorded music until 10:00 p.m. Light refreshments are served. The charge is $5. Proceeds are for the support of music scholarships and new music.
With the assistance of residents, postal carriers are wiling to carry an extra load Saturday, May 14, 2016. It is the 23rd annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Persons place non-perishable food items, paper products, cleaning products and/or personal care items in a bag by their mail receptacle. Items are donated to local food pantries or food banks.
West Chicago Park District is launching a new community-walking program, “Walk with Ease,” which is geared for individuals age 55 and over. The event begins with a Poker Walk from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016. Starting and ending at the ARC in Reed-Keppler park. Along the walk are health, wellness and fitness stations, where persons received information plus a playing card. At the end of the walk each person creates a poker hand. The person with the best poker hand receives an annual pass to the ARC Walking Track. After the walk, lunch is served. The menu is grilled chicken Caesar salad roll and dessert. A representative from the Arthritis Foundation explains the walking program. The charge is $5 for residents and $8 for non-residents. For information, call (630) 231-9474.
ArtShare is from noon to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Gallery 200, 200 Main Street. From pre-printed photographs attendees bring, First Star artists, jrr and jammer, digitally enhance it “to create a portrait of a lifetime.” They also will take a photo to create the artwork. Manipulating colors and shadows, they turn photographs of persons, pets or houses into a work of Digital Art. The charge for an 8-inch by 10-inch Pop Art portrait is $10.
Back by popular demand is “24 Hour Play Festival” at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14. WeGo Drama students write the plays Friday night and perform them on Saturday. The suggested donation for each performance is $10.
The company members are Kenneth Correa, Dylan Davidson, Ricky Geiser, Efrain Aguilar, Grecia Bahena, Nathan Bradley, Robert Bradley, Abby Carr, Emily Carroso, Vanessa Delgado, Arielle Duerr, Dylan Falletta, Jesus Gonzalez, Alexia Goutanis, Megan Graal, Jackie Hernandez, Jordy Lua, Evy McLean, Nayeli Miguel, Kirsten Miller, Mya Moore, Yesenia Munoz, Neve Ryan, Katie Steininger, Kenny Walz, Alex Weaver, Noah Zieche, and from Winfield: Connor Thompson, Natalie Thompson, Joy Vogt and Daniel Weber.
Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane, hosts “Darling Warriors,” Avon 39.9 Breast Cancer Bags Tournament and Fun-raiser at noon Sunday, May 15, 2016. The charge is $40 per two-person team. There are prizes for the first three winning teams. Other activities include a 50/ 50 raffle and a live auction, which includes a Scott Darling jersey singed by all members of the 2016 Blackhawks team. For further information call (630) 293-6700.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, holds a Bilingual worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday May 15, 2016 followed by a church picnic.
Mayor Ruben Pineda gives the State of the City address at 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2016 at City Hall, 475 Main Street. The event, sponsored by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, begins with a short social time at 5:30 p.m. It is open to the public with seating provided on a first come-first seated basis.
West Chicago Elementary School District Spring Choral Concert is at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016.
To heighten awareness and raise donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois, West Chicago police officers participate in the annual Dunkin Donuts “Cop on a Rooftop” event. It takes place from 5:00 a.m. to noon Friday, May 20, 2016 at all four Dunkin Donuts businesses. Locations are 185 West North Avenue, 330 South Neltnor Boulevard, 1491 West Roosevelt Road and 110 West Roosevelt Road. There is one police office on the roof, one at the drive up and one inside. Persons making a donation to the Torch Run receive a free doughnut coupon. Last year, the police department raised $3, 869.77. This year the goal is $5,000.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 13,000 young athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.
Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services offers hour-long computer classes for senior citizens at Wayne Township, 27W031 North Avenue. Not only do seniors learn basic skills, but also have the opportunity to socialize. The fee is $2. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (630) 231-7166.
“Creating an Email Account ” class is at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016. For classes that involve a technology device, persons need to bring their personal items with them.
As part of its Your Business series, West Chicago Public Library District program, “Forms of Business Organization-Legal and Financial Considerations,” is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in the meeting room, 118 West Washington Street. The workshop reviews the various forms of business organizations and their characteristics and analyzes the financial and tax considerations of each. The presenters are from SCORE. To make a reservation call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
West Chicago Community High School Spring Band Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. Steve Govertsen is the director.
In addition to the concert and symphonic bands, the two guitar ensemble classes are performing. Guitar 1 Ensemble will be playing “Oye Como Va” and “Allegro” by Dionisio Aguado. Guitar 2 Ensemble plays “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” by Fransisco Tarrega and “Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecouna. Concert Band plays “El Capitan” by John Philip Sousa and “Celtic Ritual” by John Higgins. Symphonic Band plays “Overture to Candide” by Leonard Bernstein and the “National Emblem March” by E.E. Bagley.
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, May 19, 2016 at the museum, 132 Main Street. Guests can bring a sack lunch; dessert and drinks are provided.
The book under discussion is “Rising Up From Indian Country: The Battle of Fort Dearborn and the Birth of Chicago” by Ann Durkin Keating, a history professor at North Central College in Naperville. According to the review by Publishers Weekly, “Keating’s well-researched book rights some misconceptions about the old conflicts, the strategies of the whites and Indians to keep their land, and how early Chicago came to exist.” Copies of the book are available at the Museum and Library. Call the West Chicago City Museum at (630) 231-3376 for further information.
West Chicago Community High School Spring Orchestra Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. Alexandra Wojciechowski is the director.
Symphony Orchestra performs “A Thousand Years” from “Twilight,” “Hungarian Dance No. 5” by Johannes Brahm, selected movements from “Capriol Suite” by Peter Warlock and “Arabian Dreams” by Soon Hee Newbold. Concert Orchestra plays “Starlight,” by Muse. The Concert and Symphony Orchestras perform a bass-solo piece, “Revenge of the Double Bass,” plus “See You Again and returning alumni join in as well.
Chamber performs “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. Cello Choir plays “Nine Deep,” which is a cello-only piece written for the famous cello ensemble “Break of Reality.” Viola Choir performs “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana.
West Chicago Community High School Spring Choral Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2016 in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. Brandon Fantozzi is the director.
The class of 1996 of West Chicago Community High School is having its 40th Reunion from 6:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 16, 2016 at American Legion Post 300, 123 Main Street. The Facebook group is West Chicago 1976, 40-year reunion July 16, 2016. The email address is Wegoclassof76@comcast.net.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Robert William “Bob” Turner, who at the age of 87 passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016.
American Family Medical Center, 1865 North Neltnor Boulevard, is closed.
The conversation was flowing constantly as friends and acquaintances met at the 80 and Over Party, hosted by the West Chicago Park District and American Legion Post 300 Ladies Auxiliary, Sunday, May 1, 2016 at the ARC. There were 11 guests, who were in their 90s. Although all guests were special, some received particular recognitions and flowers. These individuals were Ramona Feltes for being the oldest woman at the age of 98 years and George Tugana for being the oldest man at the age of 97 years and Virginia Weding for traveling the furthest, North Aurora. Also recognized were Joan Landano, who had the most grandchildren and former Mayor Dick Truitt, who had the most great-grandchildren. (www.merleburl.com)
SkillsUSA participants from West Chicago Community High School performed well at the State Competition from Thursday, April 21, through Saturday, April 23, 2016. SkillsUSA advisors are Patti Kozlowski and Brittney Bauer.
Junior Theresa Carriveau walked away with more medals than anyone in the State. She won first place gold medals in Black and White Photography and Color Film Photography, She won third place for Digital Photography, and fifth place for the overall Photography contest. In addition to these accomplishments, Carriveau also was elected to the state office of secretary.
WCCHS swept the Courtesy Corp contest. Junior Naara Rodriguez took the first place gold medal, junior Lizeth Romero took second place, and senior Guadalupe took third place. Courtesy Corp is an all-day contest where students are given multiple tasks to perform. Judging is based upon on how well they completed the task, their attitude and behavior during the process.
Senior Laura Mendoza placed second in the Essay contest. Mendoza and Di’Mone Cathey-Lattimore were elected delegates to the competition. (www.merleburl.com)
Newly elected officers of American Legion Auxiliary Post 300 are Kathy Hummel, president; Dona Smith, vice president; Melissa Ferguson, secretary/treasurer; and Julia Doggett, chaplain.
The Friday, May 6, 2016 issue of the “Daily Herald” featured an article about West Chicago resident Ron Benner and his 50 years of involvement with music at West Chicago Community Center. He receives recognition for this at the Spring Choral Concert Thursday, May 19.
At the Monday, May 2, 2016 meeting, City Council gave approval to ABD Cycle Club to use Discovery Drive in the DuPage Business Center through Tuesday, September 27 for training criteriums for its annual Fall Fling.
Also approved were reappointments to City Commissions: Juan Chavez and Ryan Hall to the Civil Service Commission for terms ending April 2019, Anni Holm and Lewis Achenbach to the Cultural Arts Commission with terms ending April 2020, Dan Beebe, Tony Lewis and Robert Blaus to the Environmental Commission with terms ending April 2019, Vince Malina and Blake Kennedy to the Historical Preservation Commission with terms ending April 2019, and Barbara Laimins and David Kasprak to the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals with terms ending April 2021.
The “Daily Herald” featured the photograph of West Chicago resident Bev Hosticka in its Photo Finish Contest in its Sunday, May 8, 2016 issue.
Character.org recognized West Chicago Community high School for two of its school climate programs. These are ROAR, Building School Community and Student Leadership, and The Women’s Leadership Quarterly Summit.
ROAR began as a result of the goal of School Climate Committee, which was to build a more positive school climate. It is a full day field trip during school hours and involves about 200 students at a time, taking place three times a year. According to the press release, “It is designed to develop leaders by bringing together students from all segments of the school population so that bridges of mutual respect can be built. During the day, students can expect to be involved in small group activities that encourage students to make positive social decisions and assist in building a positive school climate that reduces the probability of bullying.” Program sponsors are Amanda Cardenas, Krysta Schoenbeck, Beth Schuck, Catherine Thielberg, Jennifer Culbertson, and Lauren Stewart. Also another two dozen staff members assist with the event.
Teacher Amanda Cardenas started WLQS after two students completed a sophomore-writing project that focused on the needs of the young women at the school. The two students hosted a showing of the documentary film, “MissRepresentation,” More than 75 young women attended. The Summit meets once a quarter, with the focus changing for each event. Issues covered range from international women’s rights to education, self-perception and domestic violence. The adult WLQS leadership team includes Amanda Cardenas, Lindsey Evans, Jennifer Brady, Mary Howard, Tara Deleon, Lauren Stewart, Patrice Dobry, and Catherine Thielberg, a mix of English teachers, Special Education teachers, a foreign language teacher, the head librarian, and a division chair.
Character.org sponsors the annual program to showcase innovative best practices that are having an impact across the nation and abroad. Per the press release, “These great ideas really highlight the creative efforts of amazing teachers all across America—and the world,” said Dr. Dave Keller, Program Director. “It’s great to recognize what’s going well in the classroom. These practices represent practical, effective ways to develop empathy, enhance conflict resolution skills, and inspire good citizenship.”
Members of the West Chicago Police Department Honor Guard participated in the Illinois Police Officer Memorial ceremony, held Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Springfield. The Police Officer’s Memorial monument in bears the names of the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.
Several members of Catholic Daughters of America, St. Mary’s parish, received service awards. They were Alice Tinnes, 20 years; Sylvia Mosier, 50 years; Pat Scheckel, 20 years; Diane Gallagher, 15 years; and Diane Bowie, 40 years.
Homecoming King was Trey Lally. Homecoming Queen was Jessica Meissner.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
