southtownstar.suntimes.com

Hinderman: Suggestions on how to avoid the summertime blahs

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:18:01 -0500

Our unseasonably cool and wet spring has finally made way for nice weather. Some graduations have been held, others are coming soon. The imminent end of the school year means that parents will soon face the annual challenge of trying to delay their kids’ cries of “I’m bored” as long as possible. To help avoid your children’s summer boredom blues, sign them up for some fun classes and events through the village of Orland Park and its parks and recreation department. Here are some suggestions you can keep in your quiver. Fitness for all There are a variety of fitness …

Orland Park police blotter

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:02:00 -0500

ORLAND PARK POT POSSESSION: Gayle Mathis, 23, 9104 S. Ada St., and Delanio Welch, 37, 7541 S. Winchester, both of Chicago, were charged with possession of marijuana and having expired registration after an April 15 stop on 159th Street, police said. RETAIL THEFT: Sarah Bradley, 22, 7439 Eggleston, Chicago, was charged with retail theft and possession of a theft detection device after stealing merchandise April 16 from Macy’s at Orland Square Mall, police said. RETAIL THEFT: Tatyana Lewis, 18, 14456 Lincoln Ave., Dolton; Cheree Wiley, 21, 228 153rd Place, Calumet City; and Tiyawna Tyler, 20, 1009 E. 150th Place, Dolton, …

Academics (Central) for May 29, 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:22:16 -0500

Here is a look at what Southlanders from the SouthtownStar’s Central region are accomplishing in school. News includes New Lenox, Midlothian, Lemont, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Mokena, Homer Glen and Lockport.

Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer in Orland Park

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:18:01 -0500

The calendar may not agree, but summer unofficially has arrived in Orland Park. The opening of the village’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center was scheduled for Saturday. Centennial Pool, 15600 West Ave., includes a lazy river, body slides, tube slides, a zero-depth pool with a kiddie-play-and-spray structure and more. An extensive menu of concessions is available, including pizza and ice cream. Tube rentals are free and lockers are available for a nominal fee. The village’s recreation department offers open swim, lessons, splash parties, pavilion rentals, late-night swims and family fun events. For a full schedule, pick up a spring/summer program guide …

Community Sports Calendar (Central) for May 26, 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:36:47 -0500

Here is a look at sporting events in the SouthtownStar’s Central region, which includes Crestwood, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Manhattan, Midlothian, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Orland Park, and Tinley Park.

Stagg teachers win District 230 School Spirit Showdown

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:36:26 -0500

Stagg High School took home the title at the 3rd Annual District 230 School Spirit Showdown recently. Teachers from Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew High Schools took each other on in a floor hockey tournament in the Eagle Gym at Sandburg High School. In 2012, Sandburg teachers took home the title in basketball, and in 2011 Andrew teachers won the volleyball tournament. Sandburg and Stagg’s pep bands entertained the crowd of nearly 300 by rocking the gym for two hours straight. More than 800 canned good items were collected for Together We Cope. The event also featured student competitions organized by …

Orland Park Area Chamber of seeks golfers, sponsors

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:12:00 -0500

The 2013 Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce golf outing will take place on June 20 at Silver Lake Country Club. The chamber is looking for golfers and sponsors for the event. Information or a registration form: orlandparkchamber.org, (708) 349-2972. Staff reports …

Orland Park Area Chamber ceremony for Pro Sports Performance

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:00 -0500

Pro Sports Performance owners Steve Purvin, John Binkowski and Scott Hejna and the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce were part of the fitness facility’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its grand opening. The business is at 10649 W. 163rd Place, Orland Park. The chamber performs ribbon-cutting celebrations for chamber members at no cost. Chamber members Paul Novak, of Waddell & Reed; Rob Wehmeier, of Wehmeier Portraits; and Susan Byrne, of Coldwell Banker, participated in the Pro Sports Performance ceremony. Pro Sports Performance offers training programs for adult fitness, sports performance and weight loss. Personal programs also can be designed for teams …

District 135 celebrates Arbor Day

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:03:26 -0500

The schools of Orland School District 135 were budding with pride in celebration of Arbor Day. The village of Orland Park’s Recreation & Parks Department collaborated with the students and staff of eight district schools to plant elm trees at the schools and educate students on the meaning of Arbor Day, the importance of planting new trees and the proper way to plant and care for newly planted trees. The village also donated seedlings to District 135’s second-, third- and fourth-grade students to plant in their yards at home. Staff reports …

Lockport names valedictorian, salutatorians

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:29:11 -0500

The Lockport Township High School Class of 2013 will have three salutatorians, a situation believed to be a first in the 100-plus years of school history. Alyssa Brehm, Karolina Gogola and Kimberly Johnson have tied for salutatorian honors, each with a grade-point average of 4.763 on a weighted 5.0 scale. Brehm and Johnson, both of Homer Glen, are graduates of Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C. Gogola, of Lockport, is a graduate of Will County District 92. Ryan Biggs, of Lockport, earned class valedictorian honors with a 4.789 GPA. He is a graduate of Will County District 92. Staff report …

St. Michael varsity cheerleading captures national championship

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:35:43 -0500

The varsity cheerleading team at St. Michael School in Orland Park captured the national championship at Jamfest Super Cheer Nationals in Indianapolis. St. Michael had the highest score of any junior high team in all divisions. Staff reports …

Vickroy: Guiding knight: Lab gets woman where she needs to go

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:13 -0500

Up concrete stairs, around giant flowerpots and through throngs of bustling commuters, Kathy Austin makes her way to work each morning. Though she is virtually blind, only able to distinguish contrasts of light and dark, she makes getting from her home in the leafy suburb of Homewood to her office on the 10th floor of a Loop high rise look easy, partly because she has Solomon to guide her, partly because she doesn’t let much stop her from pursuing her dreams. “Going blind is the only horrible thing that’s ever happened to me,” she says. “It’s just one of those …

Homer Glen, Orland Park police blotter

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:48:00 -0500

HOMER GLEN DUI ARREST: Taylor Lode, 18, 15956 Oak Valley Trail, Homer Glen, was charged with drunken driving and improper lane use after a stop May 3 at 159th Street and Crystal Creek Drive, police said. SUSPENDED LICENSE: Ramon Castillo-Sebillag, 23, 13728 Bell Road, Homer Glen, was charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding after a May 4 stop at Bell Road and Founders Crossing, police said. SUSPENDED LICENSE: Flavio Martinez, 43, of Bolingbrook, was charged with driving on a suspended license after being stopped May 4 in the 13000 block of 159th Street, police said. DUI CASE: …

Work to start on Meijer

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:16:12 -0500

Construction is expected to begin soon on a Meijer store at 143rd Street and Bell Road in Homer Glen. The 191,000-square-foot store is expected to be the largest Meijer store in the southwest suburbs when it opens in 2014, Mayor Jim Daley said. The store is expected to generate about $800,000 in annual sales tax revenue for the village and create about 250 jobs, officials said. Homer Glen trustees approved the final design of the store Tuesday night, clearing the way for construction to start. Village officials have been eager to land a Meijer store and since 2008 have been …

Hinderman: May’s busy schedule leads us into summer

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:28:09 -0500

Welcome, May, a month that evokes visions of mums, moms, Mexico, memories and music — beginning with May Day and wrapping up with Memorial Day. The celebration of May Day historically was marked by a ritual in which small baskets are filled with flowers and treats and left anonymously on neighbors’ doorsteps. Akin to “ding, dong, ditch,” the doorbell is rung, the person leaves the basket and runs away. The recipient tries to catch the fleeing “giver” and, if caught, exchanges a kiss. Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, is a Mexican holiday commemorating democracy, …

Emergency! Orland Park Scouts practice being prepared

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:26:50 -0500

Orland Park Boy Scout troop holds surprise mock emergency training.