Dose of reality
'Biggest Loser' contestants weigh in at Naperville church
Talk about walking the walk.
When St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church parishioners Jerry and Estella Hayes lead a weight-loss discussion at 7 p.m. today, they'll be speaking from extreme experience.
As contestants on last season's "The Biggest Loser," Jerry lost nearly half of his weight and won the reality show's at-home challenge. Today, Estella is 83 pounds lighter and easily chasing after her 2-year-old grandson.
Mistaken identities
At a Naperville City Council workshop this week, Mayor A. George Pradel needed to step out for a short time -- and that set off a few moments of confusion.
First, after explaining he'd be introducing Congresswoman Judy Biggert at another event, Pradel tried to name Councilwoman Judy Brodhead as the person who would be running the meeting in his absence. But he momentarily forgot her last name.
"Judy ... " Long pause. "I was going to say Biggert," he said.
Later, Councilman Dick Furstenau said he'd been in public office long enough to know how to address Brodhead in her temporary role: Madam Mayor Pro Tem. Then his comfort with the title backfired when Pradel returned.
"Mayor Pro Tem," he began. To be heard over the other officials' laughter, he stood up and corrected himself. "I'm sorry! Mr. Mayor!"
Stage presences
A pair of Naperville theater types are hitting the stage.
Naperville's Charles Berglund is directing "Fifth of July" at Theatre of Western Springs. The Lanford Wilson play wraps up its run this weekend. Call 708-246-3380 for tickets.
Over at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Naperville native Dara Cameron stars as Miss Dorothy Brown in the upcoming production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Performances will be Oct. 28 to Dec. 20. Call 630-530-0111.
Winning in Reno
John Madormo, assistant professor of broadcast communications at North Central College, had a double win at the Reno Manhattan Shorts Film Festival in Reno, Nev.
"They were sponsoring a Film Synopsis Writing Contest," Madormo said. "This is not for screenplays but rather for the one- to three-page synopsis that usually accompanies a script. I took a chance and entered a synopsis for a screenplay that I had written entitled 'Paulie Perkins, P.I.,' about a 12-year-old private detective."
Madormo not only won the individual Family category, but his work went on to win the Grand Prize for Best Synopsis.
On to casting ...
