Community Notes
Rosalie Plechaty held the museum's Executive Director position since the beginning of 2009. Plechaty agreed to spend about 6 months working pro bono as Executive Director to put the key components in place for the successful day-to-day operations of the museum. During her term, Rosalie worked thousands of hours and was very successful in guiding the museum through the transition from the soft-open phase to being fully operational and open 6 days a week. Gina Carrara, president of the museum's board of director's commented, "Rosalie took a beautiful concept and made it a working reality. Rosalie has worked tirelessly to develop our day-to-day operations as well as programming, fieldtrips and birthday parties. Under her guidance we have far exceeded our expectations for the first year and have now reached 30,000 visitors. Personally, I am grateful that I have had the unique opportunity to work beside someone that is such a respected community leader, a mentor to so many and is now a life-long friend".
Carol Schneider arrived at KidsWork as Executive Director this month and has stepped quickly into her leadership role that includes overseeing the museum during the new Holidays Around the World program of activities and events. "To have the opportunity to work with Carol is a dream for an emerging organization. She brings a phenomenal combination of educational experience, business acumen and leadership to KidsWork" said Carrara. "She has seamlessly become the leader of the museum - we had no doubts that she was the best choice to lead us into the future." Carol Schneider has over 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare management, strategic planning, financial portfolio management and capital planning. She also has administrative experience in academic settings - both private and public universities - with curriculum development. One of Carol's priorities will be to secure a permanent rent-free space for the museum.
Holidays Around the World is free to all visitors with admission. The aim of the program is to introduce children to the celebrations of other cultures through the use of literature, maps, music, art, dramatic play and manipulative toys. As they explore the museum children will "travel" global regions from the Arctic to the Antarctic learning about people, cultures and geographic regions far beyond our doorsteps.
Holidays Around the World will be launched on Saturday, November 14th, at a community kick-off event sponsored by Harris Bank. The "chocolate and champagne" reception begins at 7pm and tickets are $15 per person. The Board encourages the community to come out for a fun night at the Museum just for adults. Guests will be entertained by the Knights of Lithuania Dancers and the Homewood-Flossmoor Suzuki Strings. Sweet treats from around the world will be offered at a variety of dessert stations. Special promotions that night include discounted museum memberships and up to 50% off in the museum's gift shop. The winner of the 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Raffle sponsored by Alsip Home & Nursery will be announced. Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the event or by calling KidsWork. Ticket holders can receive 15% off their meal that evening when dining at "Holidays Around the World" dinner partners. Participating restaurants include Dan McGees - Frankfort, Aurelio's - Frankfort, Jenny's Steakhouse - Frankfort, Charleston's - New Lenox, and Mr. Benny's - Mokena. Tickets to KidsWork Children's Museum's "Holidays Around the World" kick-off event can be purchased by calling the museum at 815-469-1199 or visiting their website at www.kidsworkchildrensmuseum.com
Consultant Wendy Braun will lead the workshop on Nov. 11 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kingsberry Waffle House, 19845 LaGrange Road, Mokena.
Braun specializes in tailored, in-house training programs, providing solutions for today's business and human relations issues. She was director of human resources for Filtration Group, a 12-plant, 1,200-employee global manufacturer of industrial filters, manager of human resources for a 1,000-employee Japanese-owned manufacturer, and manager of training and corporate communications for a 500-employee college textbook publisher that was a subsidiary of Times-Mirror.
To register for the program or to learn more about the Professional Women's Network, visit www.pwncentral.com or e-mail info@pwncentral.com.
The Scouts have been distributing paper bags to front doors and will return starting Nov. 14 to collect the donations.
The Caritas Benefit will honor Dr. Bennett L. Leventhal, professor of psychiatry at the Institute for Juvenile Research and director of the Center for Child Mental Health and Developmental Neuroscience at the University of Illinois, with the 2009 Crystallus Award. The award is given to an individual who has excelled in education, medicine, philanthropy, research, social services administration or advocacy.
Justice Anne M. Burke will present the award to Leventhal. A long-time supporter of individuals with developmental disabilities, and former Caritas Society member, Burke started the Chicago Special Olympics in 1968.
The benefit will be in the United Club at Soldier Field on Nov. 14. Art Norman, WMAQ newscaster, will serve as master of ceremonies. The gala will feature a 1940s-themed meal, the Joliet Central High School big band and dancing to the Al Sofia Orchestra. Shane Ratliffe will lead a live auction.
The cash raffle has a grand prize of $5,000. Raffle tickets are being sold for $50 each or three for $100. For more information on how to win cash prizes, visit www.stcolettaIL.org.
Tickets to the benefit cost $225. To buy tickets, call 708-342-5246. All proceeds benefit children and adults with special needs.
The Caritas Society was founded in 1952 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to help children and adults with developmental disabilities. St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation provides support and funding for special needs individuals.
The bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at Francis Field Fairgrounds, 801 E. Francis Road in New Lenox.
Spaces are still available for $20 each (tables and chairs included).
For more information or to reserve a space, call 815-485-3712.
At 12:30 p.m., guest speaker David Kaplan, host of WGN Radio-Sports Central and commentator for college football and basketball on ESPN, will give a 30-minute presentation.
Four cash raffle prizes ($500, $300, $150, $50) will be awarded at the luncheon. Raffle books are on sale at the chamber for $20 each.
Admission is $40 per person or $390 per table of 10, or co-host the luncheon for $500 for a table of 10 and receive company name listed in event program, company table signage with preferred seating, 10 beverage tickets, 10 raffle tickets, your company promotional item at each place setting and group photo with Kaplan.
A cash bar will be available. Advance reservations are recommended. Call the chamber at 708-957-6950 or visit www.chicagosouthland.com. Reservations must be canceled 48 hours before the event to receive a refund.
The night at the museum for adults will start with a champagne and chocolate reception at 7 p.m. Guests will be treated to entertainment throughout the evening and can sample sweet treats from around the world at dessert stations. Promotions, including discount museum memberships and up to 50 percent off in the gift shop, will be offered. The winner of the 2nd annual Christmas tree raffle sponsored by Alsip Home & Nursery will be announced. The decorated tree will be on display and is valued at more than $1,200.
Raffle tickets cost $5 each and can be purchased the night of the event or by calling the museum. All funds raised will go to operational expenses as well as exhibits and programming.
Tickets to Holidays Around the World cost $15 each. R.S.V.P. by calling the museum at 815-469-1199.
Finished ornaments will then be taken to Brookfield Zoo at 3 p.m. to adorn the Heartland Hospice Christmas tree. Everyone is invited. Participants will drive their own vehicle to the zoo. A limited number of free zoo and parking passes are available for the tree trim.
The workshop will be held at Heartland, 20646 Abbey Wood Court, suite 301, Frankfort. There is no cost to participate, however an R.S.V.P. is requested at 815-806-1000.
More than 250 volunteers from various civic organizations in Frankfort participated in the 2009 Earth Day Celebration.
Various communities across the state were represented during the ceremony at the executive mansion in Springfield. The projects were judged within their population category as well as within project categories. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the annual awards program.
During the ceremony, Gov. Pat Quinn said, "I salute the citizens across Illinois who dedicate their time and energy to improving their communities. The Governor's Home Town Awards are one small way we can recognize the contributions of these outstanding citizens."
In addition to the award, each community receives a 36- by 48-inch road sign acknowledging that they are a "Governor's Home Town Award" winner. Frankfort's sign will be displayed at the entrance of the administration building at 432 W. Nebraska St.
"The village of Frankfort is very proud of the many volunteer projects in our community, and this award provides a way to thank and recognize those volunteers who help not only during our Earth Day celebration, but throughout the year," Holland said.
The House passed Senate Bill 1466, House Amendment No. 3 by a vote of 66-49.
"Today, the efforts of Republicans, bi-partisan reform groups and statewide media to place meaningful caps on campaign contributions were blatantly ignored," Kosel said. "This campaign finance bill places caps on everyone except party leaders. The Democrats have dragged their feet on any real reforms and fought tooth and nail to protect their own interests."
The legislation, sponsored by Speaker Michael Madigan, includes campaign contribution caps for individuals, corporations, unions and political action committees. However, the bill does not limit contributions from a political party or caucus PAC to a candidate during a general election. Parties and legislative leaders will remain free to give unlimited campaign cash and gifts to their preferred candidates.
"The campaign war chests of powerful party bosses is what controls campaigns in Illinois," Kosel said. "Political candidates become beholden to party bosses. This bill reduces the political power of an individual voter and increases the political power of party bosses. The democratic leaders who wrote this bill will profit from it. Their iron-clad grip on the legislature becomes stronger."
House Republicans filed an amendment to make the limits on party/caucus contributions apply not only for the primary election, but also for the general election. Democrats blocked the Republican proposal in the House Rules Committee.
District administrators, staff and students thank board of education members who continually strive for excellence in education for the schools and students. They include president Courtney Stillman, vice president Brian Klene, secretary Angelo Barone and members Larry Heidemann, Cari Ann Mills, Jean Stanker and Patrick Usher.
"These devoted individuals are volunteers who serve countless hours making the schools the best they can be for each and every child in the district," Superintendent Thomas A. Hurlburt said. "Working closely with the administrative team, staff and community members, these board members give their personal time to fulfill the district's mission and strategic plan."
