Berwyn News: Residents and city officials of Berwyn work together to keep rein on blight

ALSO POSTED TO:

http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2010/12/residents-and-city-officials-of-berwyn-work-together-to-keep-rein-on-blight/

AND

http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2010/12/residents-and-city-officials-of-berwyn-work-together-to-keep-rein-on-blight/






Katherine Henrici has lived in the same three-story yellow bungalow in Berwyn since 1948 and thought she had seen it all.

That was, until the rats came.

“They were everywhere,” Henrici said. “They lived in flowerbeds, garages, sheds, weeds, grass, wood and garbage cans. It was disgusting and something I had never dealt with here.”

Henrici suspected the rats that were overrunning her block were attracted by the garbage from a nearby McDonald’s restaurant, at the corner of Kenilworth and Ogden Ave. After failing to get action from McDonald’s about its garbage, Henrici turned to Mary DelMedico, Berwyn’s blight administrator. DelMedico put pressure on McDonald’s and solved the problem.

“Mary not only took care of McDonalds, but she called pest control who took care of the infestation. She listened to our needs and acted,” Henrici said. And the rats went away.

Blight can be anything from improperly disposed garbage, to dilapidated buildings. And in Berwyn officials and residents feel that they are getting control of the situation after a few years marked by problems. But neither DelMedico nor other officials could provide statistics on reports of blight.

“I don’t know who was in charge of blight years ago, but they pissed off a lot of people in the community,” DelMedico said. “From my understanding they were not in tune with the needs of the residents. When you make it about the people, everything goes a lot smoother.”

DelMedico has worked in the blight department for six years. “In the last two years, since (Buildings Director) Lazzara has been here, there have been a lot less calls for blight and a lot less reports,” she said. “I think the decrease in those calls have been because of the tight hold we have on the city.”

Some residents hope the blight department has in fact changed. One resident had a completely different experience than Henrici.

“I had a serious problem with the blight department a few years ago,” Berwyn resident Frank M said. “We were living in our building near Cermak and Oak Park, and the large courtyard building behind us was having a problem with their garbage and rats. I called the blight department and nothing happened. I called and called and called. I finally called the Berwyn Police who drove over to the offending building, checked it out and issued the owner a $500 ticket. The Problem was solved instantly.”


Berwyn Resident Frank M took pictures of dead rats as evidence to the blight department and got no response.
DelMedico said a reason for some mishaps is because the blight department is understaffed. There are only two blight officers on patrol, Ron Stricklin and Gino Blotto, and one illegal apartment inspector Rick Hinojoso. They break into zones, Roosevelt to 22nd St., 22nd St, to 39th St. and Lombard to Harlem.

The officers go out daily and inspect for public nuisance complaints, such as garbage, weeds, high grass, peeling paint, house and garage disrepair, debris, etc. These public nuisance complaints are followed up with form letters, final notices, violation citations and possible court action. The Department of Neighborhood Affairs also conducts team inspections of dangerous and unsanitary buildings with the Fire Department and Health Department.

“While garbage and exterior problems to a property are a big part of blight, it’s not the only thing we deal with,” DelMedico said. “One time we came across a hoarder who had old coffee cups covering every inch of his kitchen. We walk into a lot of different situations”

DelMedico goes to court every Thursday to handle blight cases. The inspectors present all evidence to the judicator, including photos and all previous notices. The fine depends on the history of the situation, but a court cost is always $50. The ticket price is situational with the highest fine being $2000, although it usually never exceeds $750.

“Most people aren’t in the best financial situation, they are elders or simply going through a rough time, so we try to be as understanding as possible,” DelMedico said.

Anthony Perri, Licensing Officer and Inspector for Berwyn, was a blight officer before landing his current position and said since the economic downturn, blight has actually been under control and foreclosures are more problematic.

“The north end of town has more problems than the south, but overall crime, drugs, foreclosures and illegal apartment renting are much more prominent than blight now a days,” Perri said. “Blight is obviously still a issue, but not anymore so than usual. The blight department has a good handle on it.”

In the case of the rat infestation DelMedico immediately went to McDonald’s, which Henrici said would leave garbage bags next to overflowing dumpsters in their garbage corral area.

DelMedico started fining the restaurant until the problem was fixed. She gave deadlines to find a better way to deal with their garbage situation. Several tickets later McDonald’s finally listened, and now has mandatory rattraps, a closed garbage corral and a strict policy against leaving garbage next the dumpster. Henrici was happy.

“I don’t know who was in charge of the blight department years ago, but they seem to have it figured out now,” she said.

Berwyn News:PCP is back on the Berwyn drug scene under a new alias

(ALSO POSTED ON TRIBLOCAL:http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2010/12/pcp-is-back-on-the-berwyn-drug-scene-under-a-new-alias/)


Before it was “sherm,” “fly” or “wet.” And now it’s “wicki.”

But it’s all the same, toxic bad-guy phencyclidine – aka PCP – that residents are referring to, says the Berwyn Police Department.

Phencyclidine has reappeared on the drug scene in Berwyn and other west and northwest Chicago suburbs over the past few years as a cheap alternative to cocaine and marijuana and a drug that can easily be laced with heroin.

And the effects can be shocking. One Berwyn woman, a regular PCP user, had to be carried out of her house by eight police officer after smoking PCP, said Sgt. Sal Gamino.

“The drug is dangerous alone, but many people combine PCP with alcohol, heroine, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs that are lethal combinations,” Sgt. Gamino said.

PCP became nearly extinct in the 1990s after horror stories in the media about the side effects. One in particular was of a father cutting off his son’s head.

Michael Oschner, head of the Tactical Unit at the Berwyn Police Department has witnessed such outlandish behaviors himself over the years.

“People lose all sense of reality, hallucinate, have a severe personality change and can engage in pretty dangerous behavior,” he said. “In Berwyn many are chronic users and interact PCP with other depressants such as alcohol, which can be deadly.”

Oschner said PCP effects sometimes last for up to six weeks.

“People who use PCP for long periods of time tend to lose their motor skills and short-term memory,” he said.

To heighten the bad news, Oschner said PCP smells like urine mixed with turpentine.

The Illinois Department of Human Services says PCP first made its appearance in the 1950s as an anesthetic for medical procedures. Patients experienced such severe confusion and delirium that it was no longer used in the medical world, but people began selling it on the black market.

Today PCP has returned to Berwyn because of what Oschner says is the influence of the drug-dealing street gangs. He specifically pointed to the influence of the Ambrose Street Gang, which is based on 63rd Street in Chicago.

“It grows in influence,” Oschner said. “This specific gang comes and goes (in Chicago) in generations. That’s not to say PCP ever disappeared completely, but we deal with PCP cases about once a month. We are one of the unfortunate suburbs of Chicago that deal with PCP, even though it’s minimal. Other areas never see it.”

The urban legend still exists, but PCP is not embalming fluid

Although PCP is nothing new to our society, the urban legend that PCP is embalming fluid is.

“PCP can come in liquid form, so the term ‘fluid’ is fitting,” Oschner said. “Formaldehyde does not contain PCP; they are two completely different chemicals. Smoking formaldehyde even once could be deadly.”

Embalming fluid is composed of Formaldehyde, Methanol, Ethanol and solvents, so what worries authorities at the Berwyn Police Department is that drug dealers and users are ill informed and might actually be using embalming fluid as a drug.

“There are a lot of underground things happening in the drug market,” Oschner said. “Drug dealers sell PCP for about $20, but buyers should never trust a drug dealer. Who knows what concoction they made.”

Resident Katherine Henrici and her neighbor Loui said a few years ago people used to sell “wicki” a few blocks from MacNeal hospital, something Oschner couldn’t confirm, but said could have been possible. Both residents are under the impression that ‘wicki’ is in fact embalming fluid.

“My friend is a funeral director and told me formaldehyde is what users smoke, and I think that’s just the understanding with people,” Henrici said. “The term ‘wicki’ is associated with embalming fluid.”

National statistics show that PCP is a problem

A nationwide study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration confirmed that in 2008, 99,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused PCP at least once in the year prior to being surveyed, a difference of 10,000 from the same survey taken in 2007.

For drug abuse facilities around Chicago, these statistics ring true. Anita Pindiur at Way Back Inn in Broadview works as a drug counselor to rehabilitate users. “We do see PCP more than we used to, however our clients’ abuse is dependent on alcohol, cocaine and heroin,” Pindiur said. “The PCP is almost never used alone, but in tandem with one of these other drugs.”

Of course, PCP is not the only drug police encounter it Berwyn. Since the beginning of 2010 the Berwyn police, other than patrol officers, seized 13,690 grams of marijuana, 7,540 grams of cocaine, 627 grams of heroin and 1,290 prescription pills.

The Berwyn Police Department has no current statistics of PCP seized.

“The problem with liquid PCP is that you can’t measure it at the police station,” Sgt. Oschner said. “What gets recovered is sent to the State Police Crime Lab for weight and analysis. Once we get a result, the lab reports are used in court as a supplement, but the findings are not made part of the original police report.”

Berwyn News: Project-Based Elementary School Steers Away From Standardized Testing

Check out my advanced journalism class! We report on berwyn

blog:http://berwynnews.wordpress.com

Here's my latest article:

Project-Based Elementary School Steers Away From Standardized Testing

The Children’s School in Berwyn was quiet this day except for children’s faint voices echoing throughout the hallways. In one classroom students sat quietly on couches reading books, while others strategically built a tower of blocks. Down the hall, first-graders stood around the piano in music class tapping out rhythms and moving their bodies to represent different beats. Several classrooms were empty of students. Many were at the Morton Arboretum doing hands-on activities with nature. But even these empty classrooms were teeming with life: wooden lofts, tree houses, couches, and a bathtub used as a reading area, to name a few.

Almost everywhere else, elementary education has gotten “serious” over the past 20 years, due to forces ranging from rising parental expectations to the No Child Left Behind Act. But the Children’s School takes a progressive route and steers away from standardized testing and data collecting and focuses on project-based learning.

These growing expectations on children are controversial, and Pamela Freese, director of administration at The Children’s School, understands that.

“I know it’s an ongoing issue, but forcing tests and stressing students with exceeding amounts of pressure does not work,” Freese said. “By forcing such pressures, the love of learning goes away. Children are still taught in an environment that supports the achievement of all local and state curriculum goals, but in a relaxed manner that focuses on each child.”

The cap for each classroom is 15 students, and that will never increase. There are no letter or number grades. Teachers don’t assign textbooks but can use them to enhance learning if they fit in a lesson.

“We believe in qualitative learning,” Freese said. “Each teacher does write a four- to five-page evaluation about each student and then has an hour-long conference with each parent several times a year. The whole idea of introducing a skill and mastering it is not what we are about.”

The Children's School was established in the fall of 2004 in Oak Park with 13 children. The school follows the principles of John Dewey, who established the University of Chicago Laboratory School in 1896. Dewey focused on learning through doing.
In 2006 the school rented out space from St. Mary of Celle, 1428 Wesley Avenue, in Berwyn to allow space for more students. Today, the school is almost to its capacity at 74 students.

A typical daily schedule does not stray far from a public school, but leaves more room for spontaneity. The faculty enforces discipline the same way public schools do.

Second grade teacher Cynthia Robenson left teaching years ago to stay home and take care of her kids. Once hearing about The Children’s School and its uniqueness, Robenson applied and has been teaching second grade there for three years.

“A big misconception about progressive learning is that there is no structure and kids are out of control,” Robenson said. “That is not at all the case. Students here are able to learn what they want to learn, but under guidance from the faculty. We as teachers are able to guide their learning and foster the social and emotional aspects at the same time.”

Educational progressivism is the belief that education must be based on the fact that humans are social animals who learn best in real-life activities with other people. Progressive educators, such as the ones at The Children’s School, believe that children learn as if they are little scientists.

Each classroom contains a unique element that students have created. The first grade room has a wooden loft, which is a prominent part of the classroom. Students got to work with professional contractors and architects to learn how the process of designing and building works.

“Each student drew a design and presented it to the class,” Freese said. “Then 14 first-graders collaborated amongst themselves and picked one design they liked the best. This allowed the kids to brainstorm, compromise, and come up with a decision together. Through that process they learned real-life skills and used sophisticated learning that adults have to deal with every day.”

Second and third grades are meshed together into one classroom for social and academic reasons. “It’s a small community, so combining the two grades mixes up the kids, so they have an opportunity to get to know more peers,” Freese said. “ Some students are advanced socially, but not academically in these two grades and vice versa. We like to allow the kids who are accelerated to feel they are being challenged, but we also want the kids who need more help to not feel discouraged.”

One section of second/third grade completed a unit at the end of last year on Egyptians. Instead of reading textbooks, writing research papers, or watching history movies, the students turned their classroom into a replica of ancient Egypt, complete with secret passageways. The coatroom was emptied out and made it into King Cluck's tomb were students painted hieroglyphics on the wall to tell the story of King Cluck's life. Students mummified the chicken and reenacted all the various funerary rites. At the end of the unit each student dressed as Ancient Egyptians as each child took on a certain role in the proceedings.

“This kind of experiential learning is very powerful and memorable for children,” said the teacher, Christy Martin. “Remember, these are seven and eight year olds, and research skills are new to them and hard work. But they collected a huge amount of information and had a great time doing it.”

Parents are often the first to put undue pressure on their child to succeed, but parents at The Children School say that behavior is harmful to their child.

“Our goal was to find a school that focused on our children rather than on bubble tests and worksheets,” parent Leslie Levi said. “I have nothing against public schools, but for us it just depended more on the style of learning and the smaller community. Here, our children don’t slip through the cracks.”

Freese’s son Jared attended The Children’s School but moved to a public middle school in Oak Park. After he took his first standardized test, he came home and asked his mother if they could go to the library because one of the questions mentioned a book, Where The Red Fern Grows, and he wanted to read it.

“Jared was able to take what he learned and engage in his learning,” Freese said. “He didn’t care that this standardized test was ranking him with thousands of other kids in the state and therefore, the pressure was gone.”

The Children School is selective, however, and does come at a high price. Parents must apply and have an interview with the director of curriculum. Tuition is about $7,200 a year, but parents say it’s worth it.

Every parent here is willing to pay the price to give their child the best learning experience for their child,” Robenson said. “You simply can’t put a price on good education.”



COMMENTS:
Karl
October 3, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I like the way this school is focused on what students want to learn. It is therefore always student based and student oriented. It’s important for students to want to come to school and there is no better way to do this then by allowing them a role in the curriculum planning.


Chanda
October 4, 2010 at 1:12 pm
This is my dream school! I am still trying to find a way to be able to afford to send my children here.

Kathryn
November 11, 2010 at 10:00 pm
The school offers partial financial aid if that helps at all.

Kbee
November 5, 2010 at 8:29 am
My son goes to school here and I can say, without a doubt, that we could not have chosen a better environment. Every day he comes home full of stories about their adventures and every day (as is the intention of the teachers) he comes home chock-full of new vocabulary, math, social and emotional skills that he demonstrates and shows off to his parents.

Matt Baron
insideedgepr.com
matt@insideedgepr.com
76.204.160.117
Submitted on 2010/11/11 at 10:38 am
Well done piece by Angela Romano in today’s print edition of Triblocal—on The Children’s School. Thorough reporting—a rarity these days in journalism.

Tortoise Story!

I was iffy about this story at first because I didn't think it would turn out to be interesting enough or worthy news, but it turned out to be a cute little story. These kids were so cute!

http://www.wednesdayjournalonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=17716

Two tortoises take a walk, one makes it home - so far
Shelly got discovered, returned. Where’s Herman?

By ANGELA ROMANO
Contributing Reporter

Dog may be known as man's best friend, but for one Oak Park family, it is their pet tortoises.

And now, a week after their two 5-year-old tortoises, Shelly and Herman, went missing, only Shelly has been returned.

Shelly, who is actually a male, traveled from the Carlock home at 220 S. Home St. to a spot near the office of Wednesday Journal, which is about six blocks away.

According to Suburban Pet City's Octavio Ortego, a tortoise can walk an average of 1 mph, and run at an average of 1.30 mph.

"For a tortoise that is not raised in the wild, to get that far in a suburban area and not get hurt is pretty remarkable," Ortego said.

When Dawn Ferencak was riding her bike to work she found what she thought was a turtle in the alley behind Wednesday Journal, which is located just west of Oak Park Avenue and south of South Blvd. She was afraid he was going to get hit by a car.

Ferencak brought the turtle into the office and immediately called Animal Care and Suburban Pet City. A staff member at the pet store identified the turtle as a Russian tortoise.

Ferencak and her 7-year-old son Paxton fell in love with the tortoise. They decided to foster him until the rightful owners were found. Meanwhile, the Carlocks were searching. Shelly and Herman were a birthday present for their youngest son Nicholas's fifth birthday.

"They were rescue tortoises and we have only had them since April," Carey Carlock said. "The kids were really happy that they were rescued and that they could make a good home for them."

A week ago Saturday, the Carlocks were playing in the backyard with both tortoises. Herman would often try to cross the driveway to get to the lilies and he would become camouflaged making it difficult to find. While Herman escaped to the front, Shelly got away in the backyard.

The Carlocks 7-year-old daughter cried all day saying, "What about a hawk!"

After a series of odd connections, one of the Carlocks neighbors saw a flyer about a lost turtle in a 7-Eleven in Oak Park. There was also a similar ad in Wednesday Journal classifieds posted by Ferencak.

"Paxton had a tearful ride over to the Carlocks to return Shelly," Ferencak said. "He held him and said how much he was going to miss it. Once we got there, however, and he met the children he was OK and happy to be returning Shelly to his owners."

"It was a big lesson for my son about fostering, but also returning something to its proper home," Ferencak said. "He was so upset after we thought about buying him one, but we think we will wait and see how he feels in a week. They can get pretty expensive."

The irony is that Carey Carlock just saw a Russian tortoise for sale in West Chicago on Craig's List. "I told Dawn to look into it for her son. Wouldn't it be weird if it was Herman?"

The price of a Russian tortoise at local shops is $100 or more.

Seven-year-old Lucy is eager to get Herman home. "I'm happy Shelly is home, but sad because I'm sure Shelly feels sad without Herman. I'm worried when the snow comes because Herman doesn't know how to play in the snow."

Anyone with information on Herman, the missing tortoise, is encouraged to call the Carlocks at 708-948-7169.

I made the Deans List!

I made the the deans list this semester! WHOOOOT. This article is weird though. My friend works at trib local and found this. Why is this newsworthy?haha

len Ellyn Resident Named to Dominican University’s Dean’s List
By kristin_peterson
Dominican University announced the Dean’s List for the Spring 2010 semester. To qualify for the prestigious Dean’s List, students must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.8 (on a 4.0 scale), based on a full-time enrollment of 12 credit hours.

Angela Romano, a resident of Glen Ellyn, was named to the Dean’s List. Romano is a graduate of Glenbard South High School.

Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution offering bachelor’s degrees through the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences and master’s degrees through the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, the Brennan School of Business, the School of Education, the Graduate School of Social Work, and the School of Leadership and Continuing Studies. The university also offers a doctoral degree in library and information science. In the 2010 issue of America’s Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranked Dominican University in the top 20 of Midwest master’s level universities. The magazine also ranked Dominican as one of 15 Midwest “Great Schools at a Great Price.”

Forest Park Review: Cruise Night

My Article was on the front page of the Forest Park Review!!! WHOOT :) I know i'm lame for getting so excited, but it's a big accomplishment for me. Getting in contact with the mayor was nearly impossible and when he finally called me I was shopping and had to rush out to my car to get my notebook. Chaotic. It payed off in the end though.

http://www.forestparkreview.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=38&ArticleID=4854&TM=84727.03

Taking Forest Park for a classic cruise
Vintage cars coming to Madison for your viewing and, hopefully, shopping pleasure

By Angela Romano
Contributing Reporter

There's a subculture in America that cuts across age, ethnicity, and professional divides. It all revolves around the car.

And to tap into that culture, while also building traffic for local businesses, Forest Park is hosting its first Cruise Night May 25. The classic cars will be parked at Madison Street's Constitution Court. The event will take place every Tuesday night during the warm weather months through Aug. 31.

Classic car gatherings have become popular in suburban downtowns in recent years. Forest Park has scheduled its event for Tuesdays to avoid conflicts with nearby Cruise Nights in neighboring communities including Lombard, Elmhurst and Westchester. Those planning the event are hoping to replicate that success. The past months have seen two smaller Madison Street marketing events, including a comedy themed retail showcase, canceled for lack of interest.

"It's an excellent idea," said Mary Sullivan, manager at Doc Ryan's, 7432 Madison St. "So many people attend these things from different communities and we are hoping for that overflow. I've been to cruise nights in Lombard and Villa Park and you would be amazed at how many people show up."

One champion of the idea is Mayor Anthony Calderone. He said he jumped on board when the idea was first floated by Larry Moskos, part owner of H&R Towing in Forest Park. "It's a wonderful opportunity for those who have classic cars to come show them off," said Calderone.

Moskos has been involved with Cruise Night's in Lemont, his hometown, for several years. "It is good, clean fun," said Moskos. "It's a fun event for the people all around. Whether it's the guys with the cars or those who come out to see the cars, the streets are packed. These are people who put everything into these cars. Blood, sweat, and tears..."

Not everyone is as enthused. Some Calderone critics on the Forest Park Forum Web board have questioned if a summer long classic car event is in keeping with the more upscale retail promotions that have helped make Madison Street a destination over the past decade. Others have raised doubts that the event can be mounted weekly at little cost to the village, or with little additional police presence. Calderone shot down those criticisms emphasizing that this is not a drag racing event, a noisy event or one likely to attract any trouble.

Muscle cars, sports sedans, and classic roadsters of past decades had more flash and bigger engines than cars made today. The bigger engines provided speed, and the sporty designs still attract crowds, which is fortunate for car collectors, who are always looking for opportunities to show them off.

Cruise Night is a free event open to anyone. The committee, composed of Calderone, Moskos and eight other volunteers, talked and concluded Cruise Night would be more popular because it would essentially be free.

"We are going to expose individuals who don't know about Forest Park to the downtown business district" said Calderone.

Casas de Puros, a cigar retailer and membership club on Madison Street, was eager to support Cruise Night. "I love the idea" said Tim Polk, the store's manager. "Exposure will be great for the downtown area."

Peter Gianakopoulos, of Old School Records on Madison Street, said, "It's a good idea and will hopefully help small businesses get attention."

Since there will be no street vendors or alcohol allowed on the street, there will be only one auxiliary officer walking the street during Cruise Night's three hour stretch, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"This is not a fest," Calderone said. "We aren't expecting any garbage problems or security issues."

Committee member are going to seek sponsors, so the village is not funding this event. During each Cruise Night there will be a raffle where the winner will be announced at 9 p.m.

Some community members seem excited about the event and have even initiated a Facebook page that reached 80 fans quickly.

Glen Ellyn resident Jerry Schaus is an avid car lover and collector. He has been going to Cruise Nights for the past 20 years and is looking forward to attending Cruise Night in Forest Park.

"Cruise night has absolutely nothing to do with drag racing or cars cruising down the streets," said Calderone. "It's an event to get car lovers and the community together to enjoy themselves."

Dominican Star: Red Light Cameras

http://www.dominicanstar.com/joomla1/index.php/news/161-red-light-cameras-quick-cash-or-protecting-drivers

Red Light Cameras: Quick Cash or Protecting Drivers?
By Angela Romano
romaange@my.dom.edu
Copy Editor

March 24, 2010

The red light cameras installed at various intersections in Chicago and surrounding suburbs have been busy snapping license shots of people who make the slightest mistakes while driving and making turns. Critics say devices cause crashes while making major revenue.

Jessica Whipkey, a junior at Dominican University, has had her fair share of run-ins with red light cameras. Her first encounter happened in the pouring rain on Irving Park Road. Whipkey was headed to the city for an interview. When she came to the intersection, the light turned yellow and she had no other choice but to continue through unless she wanted to get rear-ended. However, it did cost her $100.

Months later on a snowy day, Whipkey attempted to brake at a different intersection on North Avenue, but because of low traction caused by ice, she slid a few inches over the white line. That added another $100 to her expenses.

Red light cameras are becoming increasingly controversial, and suburbs across Illinois are making attempts to lower ticket cost or eliminate them completely.

When the first red-light camera was installed in the suburbs at 25th Avenue and Harrison Street in Bellwood, it instantly became a money generating mechanism.

According to Roy McCambell, a Bellwood traffi c controller, the installation of red light cameras in the suburb of Bellwood generated $60,000 to $70,000 a month from traffic fines in the first year.

Now several area communities have installed red light cameras since they were legalized in the suburbs in 2006. Safety is on the forefront, with high revenue as an added bonus.

Federal safety experts say red-light cameras can improve safety if carefully placed where potentially deadly side-impact accidents occur at busy intersections. But data has found that red light cameras in Chicago suburbs are often at intersections rarely troubled by such crashes.

The vast majority of red light camera tickets are issued for failure to make a complete stop before making a turn on a red light. It is estimated that 90 percent of violations caught on camera are for making rolling right turns on red.

Camia Redovan, a senior at Dominican, experienced this first hand. “I was making a right onto North Avenue,” Redovan said. “The light was red, but there were no cars coming. I slowly stopped and then continued to turn. I saw the camera go off thinking someone blew through the light. When I realized it was me, I was outraged. It’s simply ridiculous that they claim these lights are for safety when I always hear of people getting tickets for not making a complete stop on a right turn.”

In the summer of 2009, the Village of River Forest proposed a plan to red light camera operator, Redspeed-Illinois. River Forest asked to lower fines to $50 for drivers not making a complete stop while turning right on a red light instead of the $100. It was, however, rejected. Redspeed officials claimed that not fully stopping at red light is dangerous in any situation.

Red light running is an indisputably serious problem, blamed for more than 95,000 crashes and 1,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. A way to address the danger is red light camera systems, which combine under-pavement equipment with above-the-ground video and camera technology to document violations.

But River Forest resident Pam Todd contends that the devices actually make things worse by scaring drivers into slamming the brakes when traffic lights transition from yellow to red. “My husband was rear-ended last month when he stopped at a red light,” Todd said. “He would have continued on through, but saw the red light camera sign and didn’t want a ticket. I understand the concept of these cameras, but to me it seems equally as dangerous.”

The future for red light cameras is unclear, but there is a definite decline in red light installation. Several states, including Mississippi, Wisconsin, Maine, Montana, Nevada, West Virginia, and New Hampshire have already banned red light cameras, while cases continue to rise in Congress.

Forest Park Review: Bowling for a Cause

Well for this event I made my boyfriend Karl go with me. I was a little stressed out about this story because it was short notice and I wasn't sure how the event was actually going to be. Turned out to be a huge success and I got some good quotes and information. Karl loved it too. He got to sit at the bar and drink cheap beer hahah high-larious.

With more stress following the next day with pictures and such it was relieving when I made deadline! PHEW.
http://www.forestparkreview.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=38&ArticleID=4819&TM=85986.77

Giving back to the community
Chris Guillen hosts fundraiser for nonprofit that helped his family

By Angela Romano
Contributing Reporter

Saturday night, more than 90 family members and friends of Chris and Chelsea Guillen gathered at Circle Lanes for three games of bowling, chased with hors d'oeuvres, drinks, door prizes and a silent auction.

It was the 10th annual Candlelight Bowl and, this year, says Chris Guillen, the fundraiser for an agency that's helped one of his kids was a really successful one. Guillen, who owns and runs a namesake photography studio on Madison Street, raised more than $4,000 for Oak-Leyden, an agency in Oak Park for people with developmental disabilities.

The Guillens' idea for such a fundraiser sparked when their youngest son got treatment from Oak-Leyden for a visual impairment. With several of their relatives' kids going through Oak-Leyden's early intervention program, too, the Forest Park couple decided this was the thing to do.

"They are the underdogs who always amaze me," Chris Guillen says of Oak-Leyden.

"This event is simply wonderful. It's the kind of grassroots support nonprofits need," Bob Atkinson, president of Oak-Leyden, said Saturday night.

Chelsea Guillen has worked at Oak-Leyden as the developmental director for 13 years and says she's always seen a deficit, even before the recent and huge cuts in state aid. "It's important to know that Oak-Leyden needs proper funding to continue giving these children the therapy they need, " she said. "Our annual event is a small dent in the overall problem."

In past years, the Guillens have raised anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. With credit card transactions still being rung through, this year's total of more than $4,000 is growing. "It was a successful number," Chris Guillen said.

At the entrance of the bowling ally was a donation box. Next to it showed the price of the materials that Oak-Leyden could use with the money, including art supplies and therapy brushes. "It's nice to know that our money is actually making a difference," Chris Guillen said.

"I think it's awesome what Chris is doing," said Terri Peterson, whose grandson has cerebral palsy and has been going to Oak-Leyden for more than two years. "Him and his wife believe in the cause so much, and they go above and beyond. Because of the money raised here tonight, my grandson and all the other children can get the best therapy. I am so grateful."

Susan Klinger, who has been a therapist at Oak-Leyden for six years, was at Circle Lanes with all her fellow therapists. "This is a perfect fundraiser because it's affordable, so lots of people in the community can come. It's also great fun."

Once the bowling was under way, guests let loose and their kid personalities came out. In the third "crazy" game, some even wore 3-D glasses.

Contributors to the silent auction included Chris Guillen's fellow merchants on Madison Street. There was an ice cream party from Brown Cow, a cigar party from Casas de Puros, a jewelry and private shopping party from DeeDee & Edee, a beaded basket from Moss, a chair from Two Fish Art Glass, and accessories from Team Blonde.

Chicago Journal:Generating friction in the Prairie District

My first article in the Chicago Journal! I took my friend C.J. with me to this meeting, so I didn't have to go down town alone. It was...interesting. After traffic, getting lost, and much more craziness I made it to the meeting just in time. I've never heard of the Praire District before covering this meeting, but it's a beautiful neighborhood. I mean after hearing about the noise complaints I'm glad I don't live there, but it is still pretty. I think the residents should move to the G.E. where it's much more peaceful. I mean the only noise you hear are the occasional bird chirps.

http://chicagojournal.com/News/In-The-Paper/03-10-2010/Generating_friction_in_the_Prairie_District

Generating friction in the Prairie District
Residents fed up with generators’ noise
03/10/2010 10:00 PM

By ANGELA ROMANO
Contributing Reporter

Debra Seger has owned the Wheeler Mansion, a graceful throwback to the Prairie Avenue Historic District’s glory days at 2020 S. Calumet, for the last 14 years.

Now a bed and breakfast, Seger says she’s lost thousands of dollars each year from angry patrons demanding a refund because of the generator noise emanating from a nearby data center owned by Digital Realty.

On Tuesday at the National Guard Armory, 1910 S. Calumet, staff from Ald. Robert Fioretti’s office and residents met with Digital Realty representatives to discuss the noise and pollution the generators produce.

The San Francisco-based firm operates two data storage centers in the South Loop, including one at 350 E. Cermak, in the Prairie District. With 24 generators located outside that facility and another 18 inside, the noise is too much for neighbors.

“I’m sick and tired of calling the police because of these generators,” said Jeffrey Ayersman, a leader of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance. “I just want to sleep peacefully without hearing the generators or wondering if they are going to go off.”

Digital Realty’s Brian Marsh said each of the tenants in the Cermak building needs a generator to guarantee their data. And some of those companies, he acknowledged, have old equipment.

“We lease our building to hundreds of customers. Each tenant needs their own back-up generators to ensure their computer server,” Marsh said. “The problem is that several generators are out of date and need to be updated. We would like them to update their generators and reach some sort of agreement, but we can’t force them to do anything.”

Last year, according to Digital Realty logs, generators would run four to five days in a row but not after business hours. That, however, is disputed by neighbors who say they hear otherwise.

“These generators are constantly running and when I want to come home Friday night from a long week at work and relax, I can’t,” said Seger, from the Wheeler Mansion. “One time the generators began running on Friday night and didn’t stop until Sunday night.”

Noise isn’t the only issue causing worry — pollution is too.

“Having 24 generators outside the facility is frightening to me,” said Lorena Petani, who lives half a block from the Cermak Road facility. “I want my kids to be safe and 24 generators must produce massive amounts of pollution, and if it’s harming my children I want to know.”

Digital Realty representatives said the diesel used to power the generators were safe for the environment, but residents wanted documentation that the constant use of 24 generators isn’t having a long-term affect on their health.

To allay some of the critiques, the firm has put up a 24-foot sound barrier to muffle noise coming from their rooftop chillers, a move many agreed had helped.

Marsh said the firm would continue seeking solutions.

“Our hands are tied up with what we can do because we don’t own all the generators,” he said. “We are willing to do our best to help out. We want to open the communication doors.”

Neighbors, however, are looking for something more concrete.

“We don’t care what you have to do or how it’s done,” Seger said. “I’ve been dealing with this for 15 years and don’t want to hear them anymore. If I wanted to live by an airport I would have. This is our home and we want peace and quiet.”

FINALLY A REAL BLOG...

Finally a real blog...

Ok now that i've uploaded my favorite articles i've written and other random things i've done, I'm ready to just blog!

The reason for the massive blogging today was that I had a dream last night that my computer crashed and I lost everything i've ever written. So, with that dumb fear looming over my head I decided I should put all my articles in a blog. Therefore if it ever does crash, the important ones are on here. Phew.

I've never blogged before, but my advisor at Dominican keeps pushing me to. Hopefully it will be a way for me to talk about my life, but also a place that I can put all my articles.

So, as you can see I like to write. I write and edit for my school paper and also intern at the Wednesday Journal in Oak Park. I know having a career in Journalism these days seems unlikely with newspapers dwindling, but i'm determined. I love writing and interacting with the community, so hopefully I can find a happy medium.

Oprah's retiring in 2011, which happens to be when I graduate. Ironic? I think not. I'm thinking I'll just take over her show and it can be called..? I don't know yet, but it will be fantastic. Ha!

Bye for now! :)

VuVox

If you ever need to create a multimedia presentation, then use VUVOX. I used it in my convergent class and i allows you to make a collage with pictures, videos, and audio clips. I did my final project on Honor Flight Chicago, a program that sends veterans to D.C. to see their memorial. It was a humbling experience to see all the veterans arrive back at Midway airport and see how emotional they got when they saw the big crowd cheering for them.

I captured a lot of the emotion in my collage, so check it out: http://www.vuvox.com/my_vox/show/01d04e41c1

I don't know if it will let you check it out without my password, but just search Honor Flight Chicago and Angela and it should show up.

A blog from Siren Song

I wrote this blog for my internship at Siren Interactive. Siren is a marketing firm that works with pharmaceutical clients.



http://sirensong.sireninteractive.com/?p=1626#post-area

Dominican: Seasonal Depression

Angela Romano



Winter Blues Got You Down?

With only 10 minutes until class started, sophomore Sabrina Scardina missed the shuttle at the Priory and decided she would have to drive herself to main campus that morning. She ran to her car, only to discover that her car was covered in ice. Scardina later said,

“It took me 10 minutes to scrape off the ice, so by the time I got to main campus and found a parking spot, I was really late, “Scardina said. “Winter seriously needs to be over. It’s making me depressed.”

With at least six more long weeks of winter, frustration is in the air, especially for college students. As the sky dims and the days shorten over long winter months, it's not unusual for individuals who are prone to depression to find they grow increasingly melancholy throughout the season.

This malady has a name: seasonal affective disorder, or more commonly known as seasonal depression, which occurs because sunlight is needed to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.

For college students, the long winters and rigorous academics can begin to take a toll on mental health. Jason Bonick, assistant clinical director of Dominican University’s Wellness Center, says, “Winter is a season when we see a lot more people, but not only due to seasonal affective disorder, but also because of all the stress school brings that time of year.”

The universtiy offers many services through the Wellness Center, which is open to all students and even graduate students. The center serves students who are in need of physical or mental help.

Although Dominican prides itself on these services, some students are unaware that they even exist. Sophomore Jinny Fester says, “I am not aware that they have counseling services here, but I guess if I knew exactly what they were, then I might look into it. I haven’t really heard anything about them though. It would have been helpful because these last few months have been brutal.”

Although some students may not known the Wellness Center, in the month of January, 74 Dominican students utilized the counseling services. The Wellness Center is even trying to create more opportunities for students and is currently looking for another full -time and part-time counselor.

The counselors at Dominican believe students see college as a beacon lighting their way to personal freedom, new possibilities and unbridled independence. When college proves to be a larger challenge than they anticipated--academically, socially and psychologically--, students may experience depression.

When the blues last for weeks, or interfere with academic or social functioning, this can become a problem. Hinsdale therapist Jacqueline Lesaily, who works for Heritage Professional Associates, says, “College brings many new experiences. Students are dealing with the loss of the familiar, rigorous academics, the stress of developing a new social network, and the easy access to alcohol and drugs.”

When the weather is brutal and schoolwork is growing unbearable, many find themselves engaging in dangerous behavior. Bonick says, “What I see a lot here is that students manifest their emotional and mental turmoil in negative behavior-drinking, drugs, sex. There is nothing wrong with those things when used correctly and responsibly, but when students use them to fill an emotional void, then that’s where the problems come in. Pay attention to what you’re doing and to why you’re doing it.”

Dominican is unique because students are able to use the counseling services as many times as they need. Unlike some universities, Dominican believes that not limiting counseling is what best serves students.

Bonick says, “At other universities, if you look on their web sites, some only offer a limited number of services. I think Northwestern offers six, Columbia offers eight, UIC is something like 10 or 12, but here we say no, we don’t want to put limits on it. We want to give you what you need. If that means we see you all year, we will make that happen.”

The Dominican counseling service also prides itself on being relationship oriented. Bonick says, “Students know their teachers well, and they know their staff members well; they know everyone well. We want to do the same. We want to focus on relationships.”

For those students who aren’t comfortable talking to a counselor, Bonick offers a few tips to deal with the winter. He says, “You have to fight it. Go out and exercise, eat healthy, take vitamins to boost your immune system and raise your vitamin levels, and also take a walk at the brightest parts of the day with friends.”

College students are at a unique place in their lives because the sky’s the limit. Students get to pick their major, their friends, and how they want to spend their four years. Junior Kate Seitz says, “Although these years are scary because I don’t know where I’m going to end up, it’s also exciting to know that I can be anyone I want to be.”

Bonick wants to remind students that they can utilize the services even if they aren’t feeling depressed or down because of the frigid weather. He says, “ College is a time of new beginnings and can involve some major decisions. We as counselors want to be sources of comfort to students and help them be the best they can possibly be.”

Dominican: Stay Fit this winter

Angela Romano

How to stay motivated, fit and healthy during the winter months

Brutally cold temperatures are no excuse to drop fitness from your life this winter. Sure, it's a bit nippy outside--alright, maybe it's downright horrible, but freezing or not, your body still needs a daily dose of fitness, especially during the holiday seasons.

Health experts from Fitness Magazine say that during the colder months, your metabolism naturally slows down, which contributes to weight gain. Even if you hide those extra pounds under your comfy Northface jacket, come spring there will be a day when you want to crawl into a hole when you try to put on that mini skirt and tank top. Save yourself the misery by committing to fitness this winter. It’s not as hard as you may think. With a little creativity, flexibility and slight motivation, you can make fitness a mainstay in your life this season and beyond.

Instead of avoiding the cold weather, learn to embrace it. As long as you dress properly and conditions are fairly decent, you still can walk, run, or bike outside. Nutrition major Lissette Espindola said, “Even walking around down town Oak Park with some friends is exercise. It doesn’t necessarily have to be strenuous, just getting your body up and moving is enough during the winter.”

Boredom can make anybody abandon their fitness routine, but indoor workouts are particularly prone to grow stale, especially if you're looking at the same four walls, doing the same exercises for the next few months. Group workouts are a way to keep your body in shape and have fun at the same time. Nutrition major and Junior Corrie Cunningham is a strong advocate for group workouts. She said, “What better motivation to exercise than making working out fun? Get friends together and pick a set time to all work out together. Do a yoga tape, do Pilates, go for a walk. Anything!”

The problem with many is not only working out, but also trying to eat healthy when all you want to do is indulge on Christmas cookies and the delicious homemade feast. Espindola offers advice that may prevent you from packing on the pounds during the holiday season. She said: “Before you go to a holiday party make sure you have eaten a healthy breakfast and lunch. Don’t skip meals because you plan on eating a lot at the party. That’s your first mistake. While at the party, pick one dessert you want to enjoy after dinner. Limit yourself. At dinner, chew your food, eat slow, and don’t eat until you feel like you’re going to burst.”

Winter offers many ways to get out of shape, including the daily trips to Caribou and Starbucks. Here's an example of what kind of calories you are putting in your body on a typical day. If you get a Starbucks Sausage, Egg, and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich it's 460 calories and 25 grams of fat. Then wash it down with a White Hot Chocolate, 640 calories and 28 grams of fat. That's 1,100 calories and 53 grams of fat for breakfast. If you are on the average 2,000 per day calorie budget, you just blew through half of it in one morning snack, not to mention the money you just blew on one meal. But if you’re a crazed coffee drinker, don’t worry. You don't have to skip Starbucks, you just have to pay attention on what you choose to eat and drink. Starbucks calories are posted in many of the stores; you just need to check before you order. Also, If you stick to the drinks without cream or flavorings, you drop about 80 percent of the calories. Skip the sweet or flavored food items and you save about 60 percent of the calories.

Becoming conscious of what you are putting into your body and staying active are beneficial, but unless you get Vitamin D in your system, you are most likely still going to slip into seasonal depression. The long winters and rigorous academics can begin to take a toll on mental health. Jason Bonick, assistant clinical director of Dominican University’s Wellness Center, said, “Winter is a season when we see a lot more people, but not only due to seasonal affective disorder, but also because of all the stress school brings that time of year.”

Our body craves Vitamin D and can still get it in the winter if you act correctly. Cunningham said. “Getting outside for 10 to 20 minutes a day will give your body it’s Vitamin D. If you can’t do that everyday it’s important to get a Vitamin D supplement.”

Dominican: Internships

Summer Vacation Keeps Students Busy

Every school year follows with the same routine of just “kickin it” with your friends, seemingly the only objective for the summer. Though fall classes just started, some have been hard at work all summer, learning on the job.

A variety of summer internships and volunteer experience, from working in fields such as public relations, nutrition, and photography supplied several students with on-the-job experience. Some had to learn to work in unfamiliar environments and others had to improve their multitasking skills.

Senior Camia Redovan spent her summer working as an intern for the Chicago Fire, Chicago’s professional men’s soccer team. “My job focused mainly on events. Mostly dealing with the give-away’(s) at the beginning of the game and activities after the game,” Redovan said.
S
ince sports’ marketing is the field Redovan aspires to get into when she graduates, this internship helped her get her foot in the door. Redovan says, “I got to meet so many different people. This internship gave me real life experience on what game day events are like, and it just confirmed that that is what I want to be doing when I’m older.”

Redovan plans to continue working during the school year despite a busy class load. Redovan says, “I know it will keep me busy this year, but I’m lucky to have an internship that I love.”

During this economic downturn, volunteer experience and internships may be pivotal to getting a foot in the door in today’s job market, something Junior Jinny Fester considered.

Fester says, “I originally signed up to volunteer a few days a week at the hospital by my house [St. Joseph’s in Elgin], but when they found out that I was a nutrition major they took me under their wings and gave me more challenging projects to do and called it an internship.”

Fester got to view hospital life in a unique light. Her focus was on nutrition and dietetics. “Going room to room with one of the dieticians and interacting with the different patients was my favorite part. I got to hear feedback straight from the patients’ mouths about how they liked each of the diets they were put on. Seeing how close nutrition plays a role in a patients health was something I’m glad I got to see because it only confirmed that this is what I want to do when I’m older ”Fester said.

Working with all demographics was part of Fester’s job, but she especially enjoyed working with the kids. Fester says, “Nutritional beliefs are built and formed from childhood on. My mom was always into nutrition and made us eat healthy. It made me more open minded to more nutritious foods. If I can help kids see that, then that’s what I want to do.”

Seeing the effects of child obesity only heightened Fester’s interest in working with kids when she’s olders. Fester says, “It was surreal. Although every kid came from a different background, every child was considered obese. Putting a face to the disease made everything so real. These kids looked so unhealthy and it made me want to do anything I could to help them”

Although Fester only worked two or three times a week for a few hours, she still feels it was worth it. “I would highly recommend anyone in any field to volunteer over the summer or even during the school year. You can sit in the classroom for many hours and be told about your major, but until you are thrown into a real world situation I think that’s when you can truly decide if that job is right for you.”

In addition to on-the-job learning, summer internships provided some students with the ability to utilize their talents, something that Senior Val Antunes valued.

Antunes interned at a new start-up foundation called The Aparecio Foundation. Antunes says, “They give scholarship and mentorship programs to low-income, high-potential girls in the public school system. I got to do all the photography for their marketing materials and it was an awesome experience.”

Antunes was given the opportunity to do the two things she loves-photography and using photography to impact other people. Antunes says, “I get to do exactly what I've always wanted to do- use photography as a means for social change. I'm very passionate about working towards social justice, which is why this job is perfect for me.”
Hoping to eventually get hired full-time, Antunes is thrilled. “I have a great time, while helping make an impact on the world.”

Dominican: Finals Stress

Angela Romano

Strategies for a stress-free finals week

Yes, it's that time of year again, whether you like it or not. You may have tried hiding, bargaining, begging, and even considered fleeing the country, but the horrible truth remains. Final exams are here. But don't panic quite yet. Just because you have exams in a week, doesn’t mean all hope is lost.

While students won't be entirely stress free during finals week, certainly there are things they can do to manage stress and anxiety.

Dominican Theology Professor Adam Darlage strongly believes the key to being successful is organization. “Get organized and don't procrastinate on take-home assignments,” Darlage said. “ It's easy to get stressed when you're not organized and you save everything for the last minute.”

What many students fail to realize is that most of the prep work comes from the work done throughout the semester. Dominican English Professor Jane Hseu, says, “Hopefully students have been keeping up on the reading and taking good notes throughout the semester. If they have then there is no need to worry.”

Although organization and relying on class notes help, some students use techniques to prepare that range from the traditional to the strange and superstitious.

"I study by playing Xbox and Super Mario," said Mark Besch, a criminal justice major at Dominican. "I also always have to eat a smores pop tart the morning of my exam.”

Sophomore Jinny Fester also has a routine she must follow. "I always have to have a bottle of water with me when I take my test," said Fester. “I can’t wear sweatpants to a test either because they make me too tired.”

Lauren Birth, a sophomore studying elementary education, is much more traditional.
"I start studying a few days before," Birth said. "I sit at my desk with tea, so I can stay awake. I do problems, like chemistry or math. I then read the book or notes and try to point out key facts."

Not all students are as organized in their study habits as Birth.

"I think everyone in some ways knows what to do," said Hseu. “Students should plan to study/work on papers ahead of time, working in small, continuous increments, rather than to cram at the last minute--cramming can cause a lot of stress."

Many teachers and advisors warn against making drastic changes to a student's normal schedule.
Jason Bonick, assistant clinical director at Dominican said, "Don't change a lot of what you do regularly. Finals week isn't a time to start sleeping less or skipping meals."

Since stress can be a reason students do not do as well as they should, Dominican is offering end of the year festivities to reduce stress and get students minds off studying.

Sophomore Caroline Golko highly recommends going to see the end of the year dance showcase, Breath. “We have all been working really hard on our dances and it would mean a lot to all of us if everyone made it a point to come,” Golko said. “It will be a good study break and should be enjoyable to watch.”

The Greek comedy Lysistrata is also a must see. Sophomore Rebecca Mullins encourages everyone to go see it. “It’s a really fun show. We’ve been working really hard, and there’s even a few musical numbers in it.”

If your looking for something more active, Pilates is being offered in the racquetball courts Monday’s 12-1 pm and Fridays 4-5 pm.

Lauren Gumbiner, a counseling intern at Dominican, believes exercise is the key to relieving stress. “Find time, maybe just 5 minutes, to implement relaxation techniques or meditation,” Gumbiner said. “Working out is huge for relieving stress and gaining energy. If you can't seem to fit in a full 30 minutes, go for 15, or grab a pal during a break and go for a walk.”
Relaxation techniques also aid in concentration and alleviate any anxiety and stress students may have. Gumbiner said, “Simply tense a targeted muscle, hold it for a count of 5, then release, while breathing deeply. This can be very calming.”

Students who have gotten lazy during the semester and did not attend class or have not kept up should not give up.
Hseu said, "Going back over old exams and analyzing how you did is a good way to review and learn material.”

Students who have not done the best job studying throughout the semester need to buckle down. "You might feel like a fish out of water, but at least for finals week be the model ideal student," Gumbiner said. "It might help you get Bs and Cs instead of Ds and Fs."

Students should not just accept their fate and decide not to study. As people always say, “At least give it the old college try.”

Dominican: Facebook: Here to stay?

Angela Romano

What’s All The Fuss About Facebook?

College students are currently under the spell of a newfound phenomenon called Facebook. Most college students would agree that Facebook is the biggest procrastinating tool made today. It documents every action a user's friends have recently taken on. These include the mundane: Colleen and Craig are now friends, the monotonous: Jeff now became a member of The Seinfeld fan club, and the juicy: Laura and Dan ended their relationship. And in case it matters, each action is time-stamped to the minute.

Being socially connected with friends 24/7 when it’s convenient, fun, and entertaining, who wouldn’t form some sort of mild obsession? It starts off with a simple curiosity of the site and before you know it, logging onto facebook becomes a necessity and part of your daily routine. Suddenly you are fixated to your computer and the only thing on the screen is Facebook and maybe the paper you should be writing minimized at the bottom.

With Facebook becoming more and more popular, the real question is: is Facebook useful or is it just a way to put off doing important things?

Dominican Student Alma Magallanes believes that Facebook is simply there to distract her. “I check it daily and multiple times. I’m not even doing anything that thought provoking on there, but I feel that it’s just become a part of my daily routine.”

Since procrastinating seems to be mastered by many college students, it’s not a surprise that many students use Facebook as a way to put of doing academic work. Dominican student Mark Besch is a big fan of Facebook, but finds he checks the site when homework is piled up on his desk. “Procrastinating is my middle name and facebook is definitely not helpful when I’m trying to write a paper,” Besch said. “I’ll write some stuff and then check Facebook. It has really just become a habit.”

Since Facebook seems to be an epidemic that no one can quite figure out, it’s fascinating to hear about what drastic measures people go to in order to break their habit. Dominican student Anjeli Raheja revealed how bad her obsession was when it came around to finals week last year. She says, “I knew Facebook would come back to bite me when I got my finals grades, so I decided to have my friend change my password and not tell me it until after all my finals were done.”

Technology these days have made it almost inevitable to not become obsessed with Facebook. It’s rare these days to see someone without a “Crack Berry”, and what’s the feature that most people are drawn to? -The constant access to e-mail and Facebook. Advertisers for these phones are realizing the addiction and promoting the use of Facebook as one of the main features on their phone.

But why all the fuss over Facebook? According to Oak Park therapist Jacqueline LeSaily, it has a lot to do with feeling accepted. “When it comes to Facebook, it turns into an addiction with being in constant communication people. You feel loved and important and therefore feel good about yourself.” She does believe though that Facebook can be healthy. “It’s a good tool to stay connected with friends that you aren’t able to talk with everyday, “LeSaily said. “It is extremely useful in that aspect.”

Teachers, parents, and business people are finding themselves hooked with this new form of communication also. Computer science professor at Dominican, Janet Helwig, believes Facebook is one of the greatest forms of technology out there. “You get to create your own profile and essentially you’re creating something that is an expression of yourself. I have a page myself and it’s become very useful.”

According to PCWorld, as of August 2008, there are 90 million active users on Facebook and has over 6.6 billion photos stored on the site. So does this mean that Facebook is here to stay or is it just a trend that will soon die down once something more advanced comes along?

Dominican Student George Munleanu seems to think Facebook isn’t going anywhere. “It’s the new way of communicating. With old ways of communicating, like letters, you’d have to wait days to get a response. Now it’s instant and I think that’s something people are drawn to.”

Intermediate: Enrollment on the Decline

Feb 2 2008
Enrollment in Dupage County on the Decline

The old saying goes, “When one door closes, another opens.”
But when the doors of a school close, they rarely open again.
Parents, teachers and administrators are concerned about the fate of DuPage County schools due to decreasing enrollment-- a decline that could foreshadow a flat-lining in the state’s school-age population.
For School District 89 in Glen Ellyn, the fate of its schools seems to match the declining pattern of many Dupage school districts.
District 89 is facing several obstacles while planning for the future of its four elementary schools. Jamie Reilly, assistant superintendent for learning, says, “Declining enrollment, unbalanced class sections in the four buildings, growing disparity in operational costs, and challenges to the district budget are the issues we are currently facing, and we are attempting to come to a reasonable solution fairly soon.”
Driving this decline is a generational switch. The affects of the generational wave are being shaped in some ways by the nation’s financial crisis and housing meltdown, the impact of which vary from town to town. For instance, last month South Elementary School in Westmont closed down its doors after 86 years. The district predicts it will save $700,000 annually.
In Glen Ellyn, Briar Glen kindergarten teacher Maureen Konwinski believes the housing meltdown is a big part of the problem. “We are seeing a trend with young couples. With credit harder to secure, young families are opting to stay put or move further west where houses are cheaper, rather than move to larger suburban homes,” she said. “We’re noticing in neighboring areas that have boomed with new subdivisions they are feeling the sting of the slowdown.”
Due to fluctuating class sizes in District 89, an enrollment study group was formed. Made up of five teachers, nine parents, one principal and the assistant superintendent for learning. The committee’s goal was to review current enrollment numbers and recommend to the Board of Education possible solutions to several problems.
Although no action has been taken since the meetings began in September, the board came up with plausible solutions, and one will eventually go into effect, hopefully, by the start of next year.
Parent and board member Adrianna Ollech says, “Our goal was to come up with solutions that balanced class sizes, created minimal disruption and maintained the community in the neighborhoods.”
So far there have been five solutions proposed over the past few weeks. The first three are short-term recommendations that would only help the problem temporarily. One idea is to cap enrollment after reaching the upper limit of the class size ranges and transfer additional students if needed. The second idea is to conduct a census of district residents to project future enrollment more accurately, and finally conduct minimal boundary changes so that students from three neighborhoods in Glen Ellyn would be relocated to the smallest school, Arbor View.
Another recommendation is the idea of paired schools. Briar Glen and Arbor View Elementary Schools would serve as Pre-K-2 Grade Level Centers and Park View and Westfield Elementary Schools would serve as 3-5 Grade Level Centers.
Kindergarten teacher Konwinski thinks this plan would greatly benefit the students. “The great thing about paired schools is that you would be able to have resources common to that specific age level in one building,” Konwinski said. “The younger students would benefit with having specialists focusing just on their needs and the older kids would benefit with the ability to do more cross-curricular activities.” Cross-curricular activities mean students are learning similar material, so the learning process could sometimes be combined. For example, fourth and fifth graders learn similar material in math and science, so different activities can be planned to incorporate both grade levels.
The final recommendation proposed on the enrollment issue is closing down Arbor View, which is the smallest elementary school. This option has sparked many community reactions.
Aimee Boucek, a fifth grade teacher at Briar Glen, is all for closing down Arbor View over the option of pairing schools. “Although I don’t think Arbor View would close because it would be hard to rent the building out with this dwindling economy, this option would make the most sense,” Boucek said. “They have the smallest enrollment out of all the schools and the idea of paired schools would cause a greater outrage with parents. My opinion on the paired schooling is that I feel parents would not be happy if they had kids at three different schools. That would be a parents’ nightmare.”
Under paired schooling, parents potentially could have children at the 3-5 center, the Pre K-2 center, and the preschool.
The impact of declining enrollment can be bleak. Schools are funded, in part, based on how many children they serve. So as enrollment goes down, funding falls. District 89 has decided to introduce a few new program options, so they can prosper during this decline. For example, the district is thinking about opening a new preschool center in one of the elementary schools to increase their yearly income.
Emily Tammaru, principal at Briar Glen, says, “Some of the ideas that arose at the last board meeting were to add additional preschool sections, add a pilot at-risk kindergarten, and possibly to add full-day kindergarten. None of these options are set in stone, but they have been brought to the table.”
Parents in Glen Ellyn have been talking about this issue, and each rumor seems to be spreading like wild fire. The latest rumor claims the district is going bankrupt and all four elementary schools will eventually close down.
Parent Lynn Rumel says, “It’s hard to know what is true or not because I keep hearing something different every day.”
Assistant superintendent Reilly, says, “The recommendations included in the reports are under review, and at this time no action has been taken on any of the recommendations.”
In early May a decision may be made, so preparation for the next school year can begin to transpire. The enrollment committee will meet two more times later this month at the district office, and the meetings will be open to the community so they can voice any concerns.

Dominican: Map Grant

Students Face Large Financial Setbacks in Upcoming MAP Grant Legislation
By Angela Romano and Danielle Nicholson

The financial fate of many DU students will be heavily affected on October 14-16 and 28-30 at the General Assembly of our Illinois legislatures. Decisions will be made to either revise or eliminate the MAP grant, a source of financial aid that is used by over 138,000 students in Illinois.
Map stands for Monetary Award Program, and is a resource of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, ISAC, which is a state financial assistance agency that relies on our Ill. budget. Students apply for the MAP grant when sending in FAFSA applications at the start of the New Year. Information on SaveIllinoisMapGrants.org states that the Map grant used to have a maximum award amount of $4,968 per school year, which several student’s were awarded.
However, this past July, due to a deficit in the state budget, the MAP grant has been revised, and has only been effective for the current fall semester, cutting the aid in half. According to www.dom.edu, 98 percent of all freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with an average award of $17,570 a year. Although financial aid is one of our University’s strengths, one third of our student body receives MAP grant funding. Without legislation in favor of the MAP, the grant will be eliminated from state funding after January 1, 2010. Cutting the MAP means a large portion of our student body will be left to find other ways to pay for their education.
Junior Elizabeth Blackwell is well aware of the issues and simply having her on and off campus job won’t cut it if these cuts happen. Blackwell said: “I wouldn’t be able to attend Dominican if it wasn’t for student loans. Tuition for college is getting too expensive for students to pay for on their own or with help from parents, especially if they have more than one child at college. If they want to cut funding, they need to cut tuition as well to make it so everyone has a chance at getting an education.”
Sophomore Ericka Acevedo would also be affected. She said: “College would definitely not be an option for me. I think mostly everyone I know at Dominican gets financial aid, so it seems like if this grant gets canceled it would have a huge affect on the student body. I also know my dreams of being a nurse would be over.”
In order to save the MAP, action needs to be taken quickly. If you are interested in joining the fight to save the Map grant, look no further than DU. According to Michael Shields, Director of Financial Aid, Our University will be hosting an “email-a-thon” to flood our state representatives with emails concerning the MAP grant. The “email-a-thon” will take place in the Parmer Atrium and Grill Area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 13 and 14. Shields encourages all members of the DU family to help the cause. Shields said, “We hope that all DU students, faculty, and staff participate on the 13th or 14th, sending an email to their state representatives indicating their support in restoring funding for the MAP.”
Aside from the email-a-thon, DU hopes to send two or more charter buses of students to the capital building in Springfield on October 15, for participation in rallying to save the MAP grant. Dozens of other Illinois colleges will also be sending their own to fight for the cause. Countless voices will come together to communicate one single message: the Illinois MAP grant plays a crucial role in accessing education.
DU recently launched a new educational campaign entitled “What makes an Inspired Mind?” There are many answers to this question, perhaps endless possibilities; however, students might find that part of the answer lies in the fight for the MAP grant. Without proper funding, thousands of students could be left without access to education. Access and affordability are two main components of an inspired mind, and Dominican’s participation in the MAP protest is both appropriate and necessary.
SGA President Anthony Alequin and the rest of the Student Government are taking great measures to support the fight for the MAP grant. Our student government has teamed up with the Financial Aid department and Professor David Dolence to both communicate awareness of the MAP crisis to the student body, and make sure each student voice is heard by encouraging students to participate in both the “email-a-thon” and Lobby Day.
Alequin said: “It is absolutely vital that if students are unable to make the Lobby Day on the 15th, that they write an e-mail to their representative on either the 13th or 14th. We need the student body to participate in these events because they are the epitome of what Dominican stands for. Without this funding, thousands of students across the state may never be able to return to college.”
Although Dominican is making a strong effort to become a voice in this cause, some students are upset they have heard nothing about it. Sophomore Samantha Dennison said: “I haven’t really heard much about the map grant and student loan issues, and it frustrates me that I haven’t been informed, since I would be greatly affected by the loss of this grant. The only way I was kind of informed was from a facebook group invite telling me to go to some sort of rally.”
The MAP grant may be saved if enough student voices are heard. Alequin urges students to come together. He said: “This is our moment to stand up not just for yourself, or for Dominican, but for every student in the state. I challenge any student who goes with us on October 15th to lay their head to rest that night without a feeling of accomplishment, community, and citizenship. I challenge you to be active.”
As concerned individuals, we are advised to contact our state representatives and demand reconsideration of the state budget and the MAP grant. One way to do this is by signing a petition. Saveillinoismapgrants.org is a great website with detailed information for students, parents, communities, and educators, with its most powerful tool being a petition that contains over 6,000 signatures and counting. The petition deadlines on October 14, the day the Illinois General Assembly will meet for legislation. Saveillinoismapgrants.org also has pages on Facebook, LinkedIN, Twitter, and even has a “student coalition” site for students who want more concentrated involvement.

Dominican: The most epic article ever written by Stacy and I :)

Hauntings At Dominican: DU Students Share Their Ghost Stories
By Stacy Portilla and Angela Romano
portstac@dom.edu , romaange@my.dom.edu
Staff Writer, Features Editor

As you walk through the Dominican University campus, do not hesitate to invite in the creepy feeling that may come over you as you notice the neo-gothic architecture masked by the crawling ivy of the ancient castle-like buildings. The real mystery, though, lies within the rooms of the school where the people who have passed on to the next life are said to remain. What better time to question these legends than All Hallows’ Eve?

Dominican University, formerly known as Rosary College, was bought by the Sinsinawa Sisters in 1922 and is home to some of the oldest ghost stories in River Forest. We’ve all heard them, everything from the mocking faces in the Social Hall to the orbs of light and ladies in white. Whether or not one believes, few have gone to the Lund Auditorium alone at night, stayed in the 4th floor of Lewis longer than they had to, not had goose bumps walking through the chapel at Priory or even second-guessed themselves hearing noises through the concrete door on the 3rd floor of Power where two nuns supposedly hung themselves.
The Fine Arts Building seems like any other art building at a university, a place where creative minds come to showcase their talents, right? Musicals and plays are performed for students and surrounding community members but behind the scenes there is something much more eerie. Senior Kendall Monaghan witnessed events that will keep her forever wary of being in the building alone.

“Last winter, I worked the Eileen Ivers concert. Everyone was leaving around midnight but I had to stay and work on my director’s skit that was due the next day. I was in the lower Lund storage area pulling furniture to the Martin by myself. As you can imagine many unexplained things went on during those hours. I heard noises, saw shadows and had the lights randomly go out on me. At 2:45 a.m., I was all the way in the back of the lower Lund storage pulling out a rolling chair. Once I got it, I moved it through the open door and went back for the desk. As I was dragging the desk, I started hearing noises. It was my chair, and as I looked up from my desk I saw my rolling chair start to move slightly. I had already explained to security when they were passing at 12:30 a.m. why I was there on my own, and no one had been there since. I was the only one in the entire building. The odd thing was the rolling chair didn’t just roll away due to uneven ground or anything like that. My rolling chair jumped up the step and rolled itself around a corner to get back to its place where the other chairs were stored. Then I started to hear more noises than before. Suddenly, I saw a strange shadow in the windows of the room that looks into the Martin and I decided it was definitely time for me to leave.”

The Fine Arts Building may not be the safest place, since lost souls find this a good place to roam. Senior Mike Shallow had his first experience last year. According to Shallow, he was in the piano room on the 4th floor of the Fine Arts Building late at night when he quickly realized he was not alone. “I was playing piano, and a man in a tan suit and hat appeared in my peripheral vision; he wasn’t the haunting type, but by the time I turned to get a better glimpse of him, he was gone,” Shallow said. But Shallow is not the only one who believes this. Peter Ciura has had similar experiences.

“Walking through Fine Arts at night I have seen a number of things that I cannot explain. I worked security during the summer and would walk around the campus from 4-12 p.m. At 10:30 at night in the Fine Arts building I came across an older lady sitting in a chair on the fourth floor by the piano room. I had no idea who she was but the campus is open to the public so I really didn’t think anything of it. I had gone up there to see who was playing piano at 10:30 on a Friday during the summer. While I was looking in the piano practice room I asked her if she had been playing the piano. She didn’t say anything and when I turned around there was nobody in the chair and there was no possible way she could have gone out either exit without me seeing her. I have also heard a number of strange voices at times when nobody was in the Fine Arts building. These included the chair where I saw the lady sliding into the wall a number of times, foot steps in the theater and weird voices.”

We move on to Lewis Hall, the building of academia where there is never a lack of teaching and learning. If you think you have reached a safe haven, think again. Consisting of four floors, Lewis Hall is filled with its own unusual occurrences that lead students to believe that this building is haunted as well. The fourth floor has a quiet, uneasy feel to it, the kind of quiet feel that makes you wonder if you are truly alone. Up here, the art classrooms and old photo-lab usually remain empty. Having to work on projects up here late at night keeps most students in a state of high anxiety. If you want to use the bathroom, you might as well hold it. The bathroom doors squeak when opened, and you can quickly feel the temperature change even if the windows aren’t open. The paper towel dispensers go off on their own, and the bathroom itself has a weird musty smell that leaves an uneasy feeling in your stomach. Like the fashion lab in the basement of Fine Arts, students almost always work in pairs at night to avoid being there alone. Many students have said they have felt disoriented or confused while working there at night.

If you want to escape the fourth floor, the only way out is down, and with every floor you get closer to the basement, where you can tell students must not belong. During World War II, these secret underground tunnels were used as a fallout shelter. Now open to students, the long narrow hallway from the workout area to the Technology Center causes you to walk cautiously around each corner as you pass unfamiliar openings, small wooden doors and storage spaces that contain old pianos covered in cobwebs. This hallway, with its yellow walls and tiled floor, looks like a scene from “Alice in Wonderland,” and has been said to play with the minds of those who walk it.

The secrets that are hidden in the many wings of the dormitories may be stories to some, but for those who live there, there is no stronger truth. The resident halls are said to have been the scene for three of the most devastating deaths in the university’s history. Anyone who has even walked through Power Hall and seen the concreted doorway has to have wondered why it’s there and what’s behind it. No one who has heard the screaming and crying that leaks from the cracks in the plaster can say that haven’t questioned if the story is true. Many students believe that when one of the sisters discovered she was pregnant, she hung herself inside the room late at night leaving only her faint screams to be remembered. After her death, another woman moved into the room and claimed to have heard voices telling her to do the same and she did. Yet another sister was said to have died, depending on which story one has heard, from being pushed or jumping down the elevator shaft. At night, sometimes her last scream can still be heard in the dormitories. Students may consider commuting to avoid living here, but those who don’t must suffer the consequences.

If you need to get away from the ghosts and spirits that surround you at the main campus you may want to walk or take the shuttle eight blocks east to the Priory, although this may be worse. Rumors continue to swarm about the open, door-less room that Priory students call the laundry room. It is located in the basement and it is said to have beena morgue. Leaving the laundry room leads you down the black and white checkered floor to the Great Hall. I guess you could compare it to the yellow brick road from “The Wizard of Oz” because what happens on that path to the Great Room leaves you looking over your shoulder after every step.

Going upstairs may seem like the safe choice, but in this instance, that’s not the case. With the second and third floors looking like a scene out of “The Haunting,” you find yourself feeling uncomfortable walking to your room and scared to walk to the bathroom alone. The main sitting areas on each floor overlook the chapel and, at night, a dark, lonely chapel can cause uneasiness even in the most Catholic students. Junior Kate Seitz lived at the Priory last year and has experiences that may prevent her from ever returning to that building.

“I live in Ohio, so I rarely went home on the weekend last year. Considering a lot of people do, I was often left alone on the weekends at the Priory. It was a Saturday night and I was one of the few people left on my floor. I decided to take a shower before I went downtown to meet a few friends. Our bathroom was never locked, so I always got a little nervous when no one was around. I decided to bring my iHome in the bathroom and listen to music while I took a shower, so it wouldn’t be so creepy. When I finally got in the shower, I started to feel a little less nervous. I noticed something above me and quickly looked up. There was this cloud above me, I thought maybe it was the steam from the shower, but it was perfectly shaped right above my head. Then I felt light poking on my back. I thought it was my imagination from working myself up so much before getting into the shower, but I looked again and it was still there hanging over my head. The poking wouldn’t stop, so I turned off the shower, quickly got dressed and left the Priory as soon as I could.”

There’s one last place on campus you need to know about: the old Science Building. It sits behind Lewis Hall, and at a quick glance, it’s easy to overlook. You may have noticed an ambulance there last week, but if not, here’s why. Junior Jinny Fester was developing film in the photo lab in the early afternoon when she suddenly got light-headed and fainted, hitting her head against the wall. When she regained consciousness, she fainted again. According to Fester she “ate, had a good night sleep and nothing seemed wrong.” After being taken to Rush Hospital in Oak Park, the doctors found nothing wrong with her. Some may have some medical explanation for the fainting, but being the oldest building on campus, some may think otherwise.

Dominican: Making Dominican Greener

Old Water Cistern Updated, Saves over One Million Gallons of Water and At Least $18,000 in Irrigation Costs
By Angela Romano
romaange@my.dom.edu
Features Editor

November 11, 2009

Six years ago Dan Bulow, director of buildings and grounds, took on a complex, and time-consuming project that has recently made Dominican more sustainable. After much brainstorming, an old cistern that had been left dormant for several years in the old science building is now being used again to irrigate campus.

When Bulow went to the Village of River Forest years ago asking if they would allow Dominican to drill a well, so water would be saved, the answer was a resounding “yes.” The idea was put into motion, but the project was at a stand still because although drilling a well would help save water, Bulow knew the old cistern could also be a good resource.

“We knew there was an existing cistern in the basement of the original science building that used to collect rain water from the roofs of the original buildings,” Bulow said. “We could not quite figure out how to use the cistern, only knowing that we wanted to.”

After being put in touch with an irrigation contractor, the project took off. “After I showed him the cistern, he said outside the old science building was the perfect spot to drill the well because we could use the cistern as the holding tank, and it already collects rain water, which we could then use for irrigation,” Bulow said. “The two inch pipe we had already installed connecting to Parmer easily hooked up with our irrigation system on campus and thus we are now using that water to irrigate campus.”

Dominican is benefiting greatly because now instead of purchasing water from the Village of River Forest, rain and well water are being used to irrigate campus and the soccer field. Monica Prisco, an intern at Physical Plant, said, “The new irrigation system saves about four to six million gallons of water per year, which means the University saves between $18,000 and $28,000 per year.”

Not only does the cistern help with campus irrigation, it’s also a key component with the University’s air conditioning system. Bulow said, “We decided on a hot summer day the air conditioning in Parmer uses between 900 and 1,400 gallons of water to provide cooling. So, we are now feeding this water from the cistern to the cooling tower instead of buying water from River Forest.”

Dominican sophomore Samantha Acevedo just learned about the new system and is glad to see Dominican is taking steps to creating a greener campus. Acevedo said, “It’s good to know I go to a school where the environment is important. It seems so simple to create a safer, healthier environment; people just need to take the right steps.”

Bulow, along with the rest of physical plant, is already thinking ahead to the future. The clean ground water in the Centennial basement currently pumps into the sewer, but the goal is that it will pump into the cistern, so the well never has to feed the cistern.

Taking that idea one step further, with the right testing and clearance, the ground water in Centennial may be used for other purposes, such as showers or flushing toilets in the residence halls. Bulow said, “Of course we would need the water tested and certified by the State Board of Health before going that route, but it’s just an idea.”